The Scorpions of Gambia will welcome the Barea of Madagascar in the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with both teams locked in a battle to keep their qualification hopes alive. The match, scheduled for Monday at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi, promises to be a tense affair, as both sides have everything to play for.
Gambia and Madagascar currently sit on 2 points each after three matches in Group A, where Tunisia (6 points) and Comoros (5 points) have taken the lead. The two nations met in the first leg of their campaign, playing to a 1-1 draw—a result that left both sides frustrated but hopeful of turning things around in the return leg.
For Gambia and Madagascar, this fixture is make-or-break. A loss would likely end the qualification dreams for the defeated side, while a win could reignite their hopes of staying in contention for one of the top two spots in the group.
In the first meeting between the two teams, Madagascar took the lead early in the game, only for Gambia to equalize through an impressive counterattack in the second half. Both sides created chances, but neither could find the breakthrough to secure all three points. The draw left both teams stuck on 2 points after three matches, making the return leg even more critical.
Gambia will rely on their home advantage, backed by a passionate fanbase hoping to spur them to victory. The Scorpions are known for their swift counterattacking style.
Madagascar, on the other hand, will hope to disrupt Gambia’s rhythm with a disciplined midfield and quick transitions. They will look to their creative players, such as Carolus Andriamatsinoro, to unlock the Gambian defense. For coach Romuald Rakotondrabe, the message is clear: leave Banjul with three points, or risk seeing the AFCON dream slip away.
Both teams know that anything less than a win could be fatal for their qualification chances. With just two games remaining after this encounter, dropping points at this crucial stage would make it nearly impossible to close the gap on Tunisia and Comoros.
The battle between the two will not only be about tactics and skill but also mental strength. A victory could put one team right back in the race, while the other would face an uphill task to recover. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but will need to find that extra edge to earn their first win of the qualifiers. Only time will tell which side rises to the occasion—and which one sees their AFCON dream come to an end at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi.
