Angola eye Afcon spot with Madagascar win

Angola will host Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group E match at Estádio Nacional da Tundavala on Thursday.

Kick-off is 6:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Palancas secured a 2-1 win over Central African Republic away on 17 June and they are undefeated in their last two matches in Group E.

The Southern African side is placed second in the Group E standings - a point behind leaders Ghana and a win over Madagascar would see Angola qualify for the finals.

Meanwhile, Madagascar held Ghana to a 0-0 draw at home on 18 June and they remain winless in Group E having registered two draws and three defeats.

Barea are placed fourth in the Group E standings with the Southern African side's hopes of qualifying for the Afcon finals having ended due to their failure to win matches.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves:

“Expectations are high, as we want to be present in this competition. Playing at home, in front of our fans in Lubango, the objective is qualification," Goncalves said on Portal De Angola.

“I think the atmosphere in Lubango is being created, in the sense that we have strong support and the players feel at home.

"It will be the first time, for many, to play in that city, and we know that we will also count on the support of the public."

Madagascar head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe:

"Of course, only a few days separate the JIOI (Indian Ocean Island Games) and the match against Angola," Rakotondrabe said on L'Express.

"Our mission is to both prepare for the Games and the Afcon qualifier. I remain in contact with the expatriates and I can already announce that three new ones will join the team.

"I don't want to reveal their names yet because the match will only take place in a month or two. They are from France and Europe."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Angola and Madagascar have met eight times across all competitions.

Madagascar have the upper hand in this rivalry having won two matches compared to Angola's one win, while five games ended in a draw.

Their last meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in June 2022 in a 2023 Afcon qualifier played in Madagascar.