Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Madagascar
Match Time & Date:
05/06/2022
12:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Angola
Sunday’s football game at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium pits together Madagascar and Angola, the two teams who meet for the first time since 2017. Under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of their previous six encounters in all competitions, and yet another low-scoring affair is on the horizon. Madagascar aim to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to Ghana, and, no doubt, they would be happy with one point from Sunday’s showdown.
The Palancas Negras, on the other hand, kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Central Africa, but beating Madagacar on the road is easier said than done. Since Angola are not regarded as good travelers, we are tempted to put our money on draw. Spezia forward M’Bala Nzola is widely expected to sneak into Angola’s starting XI after scoring the opener against Central Africa.
Highlighted Player (Romain Métanire):
Born in Metz, France on March 28. 1990, Romain Metanire is a defender, who plays for Minnesota United in the Major League Soccer. Metanire started his senior career at Metz and after playing for the likes of Kortrijk and Reims, he moved to United States of America.
The 178-cm tall footballer made his debut for the Loons on March 3, 2019 in a 3-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps in the opening match of the season. Despite being born in France, Romain Metanire represents Madagascar on the international stage. He made his debut for the national team in a 2-2 draw with Senegal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His preferred foot is right and his main position is right-back.
Romain Metanire helped Reims secure automatic promotion to the Ligue 1 in the 2017/2018 season. Reims clinched top position in the Ligue 2 in style, 15 points clear Nimes, but the following season Metanire made only five appearances in the French elite division.
Highlighted Team (Angola):
Angola national football team are controlled by Angola Football Federation. The Palancas Negras are affiliated to both CAF and COSAFA and they play their home matches at Estadio 11 de Novembro. Angola did well to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but they failed to book their place in the last 16 on their debut at the showpiece tournament.
The African side faced the likes of Portugal, Mexico and Iran in Group D, with the team sharing the spoils with Iran and Mexico, while suffering a loss to Portugal. The Palancas Negras have been struggling to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals ever since, but they made it to the Africa Cup of Nations on two occasions (2008, 2010).
Angola wear red shirts and black shorts when hosting their rivals, whereas their away kit is white. It has to be noted that the Palancas Negras suffered a 3-2 loss to Congo in their first ever international.
