By Updater
Madagascar will host Rwanda at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium on Monday in FIFA international friendly clash that is to be the first ever encounter between the two countries at the senior football level.
The home side has had a mixed start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and will be looking to build momentum before returning to the competition in June. They beat Burundi 1-0 in a friendly clash last time out, with Tendry Manovo Mataniah scoring the sole goal of the game in the opening 20 minutes.
Madagascar will be looking to round up their international break on a high before making their return to competitive action against Comoros in June.
Rwanda, meanwhile, have enjoyed an encouraging start to life under German boss Torsten Spittlee and will be looking to extend that streak next week. They played out a goalless draw against Botswana in their last match as they continue to familiarize themselves with Southern African opposition.
The visitors are also set to make their return to competitive action in June, facing Benin in another round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Madagascar vs Rwanda Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Tuesday’s game will mark the first-ever meeting between Madagascar and Rwanda.
- The hosts have kept clean sheets in their last two matches after failing to register any in their three games prior.
- The visitors have failed to score any goals in three of their last five games across all competitions.
- Madagascar were ranked 109th in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 24 places above their midweek opponents.
- Rwanda has kept clean sheets in their last three matches after failing to register any in their previous four.
- The Barea have scored at least one goal in all but one of their last five matches
Rwanda are on top of Group C of the African qualifiers with four points, having won one game (against South Africa) and drawing one (against Zimbabwe).
As for Madagascar, they are third in Group I with three points, having lost 1-0 to Ghana before beating Chad 3-0.
Rwanda is unbeaten in all the three games it has played under German coach Torsten Spittler. The team has registered two wins and one draw, and is yet to concede a goal.
In the game Vs Rwanda, the islanders can rely on some key players including Njiva Rakotoharimalala who plays for Thai club Ratchaburi, Loic Lapoussin who plays for Belgian Jupiler Pro League leaders Union Saint Gilloise, and Dorian Bertrand who plays in Romania.
Arguably, Madagascar’s strongest department is their attack where they play much fluidity.
For Rwanda, despite failing to score against Botswana during Friday’s friendly game, the team played well, dominating possession and having good scoring opportunities and were solid at the back.
The likes of Ange Mutsinzi, Thierry Manzi and Emmanuel Imanishimwe defended well, while Gilbert Mugisha played well on the wings. Amavubi’s key problem was failure to be clinical when it came to converting chances into goals.
The game Vs Madagascar will provide a good test for both countries in their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.
Lucky van Rukundo