Madagascar go face Tanzania on Tuesday, September 29, for Matchday 2 of Group L in the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers. Kickoff don set for 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT for Stade d’Honneur in Meknès, Morocco. Fans for United States fit watch the game LIVE on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Madagascar bin come close to collect positive result for dia opening qualifier but dem later suffer 2-1 away defeat against Nigeria for Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The Barea take surprise lead for 16th minute through Ehsan Kari. George Ilenikhena equalize for Super Eagles during first-half stoppage time. Nigeria complete comeback for 65th minute through Moses Usor and protect dia advantage reach final whistle. Corentin Martins’ side therefore enter Matchday 2 still dey search for first points.
Tanzania also fail to collect point for dia opening fixture. The Taifa Stars suffer 2-0 home defeat against Guinea-Bissau, which produce one of Group L’s most significant results on Matchday 1. Franculino Djú open scoring for 33rd minute before Mama Baldé double visitors’ advantage for 58th. The defeat no threaten Tanzania place at next AFCON. The national team don already qualify automatically as one of tournament’s three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Group L get different qualification equation from most sections. Because Tanzania don already assured of place at AFCON 2027, only highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau go claim group’s additional qualifying berth. After Matchday 1, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria both get three points, while Madagascar and Tanzania lose dia opening matches. That make Tuesday game particularly important for Barea. A second consecutive defeat fit quickly complicate dia position for six-match campaign. For Tanzania, meanwhile, qualifiers also provide competitive preparation ahead of tournament wey e go co-host next year.
Tanzania head coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi don call for greater efficiency from Taifa Stars when dem face Madagascar on September 29, following dia 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau for Zanzibar. Taifa Stars suffer dia first setback of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign for New Amaan Complex, despite enjoying significant possession and spending long periods for Guinea-Bissau territory. With Tanzania already guaranteed place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, Gamondi stress say qualifying matches dey treated as serious competitive tests as e continue building team for next year tournament.
The short turnaround mean there be little time for Tanzania to dwell on defeat, with focus now shifting to Morocco and meeting with Madagascar. Despite result, Gamondi say e satisfied with several aspects of team performance, particularly dia willingness to keep attacking even after dem fall behind. “We created a lot. We had more possession. How many chances did they create? Very few chances,” Gamondi talk after match. “The team played well. The problem was individual. But in general, I’m satisfied. I’m not happy because when you lose, you cannot be happy. But the mentality is there, and we need to improve.”
The coach assessment point to central issue Tanzania must address against Madagascar: turning possession and attacking pressure into goals. Guinea-Bissau demonstrate importance of efficiency, scoring twice despite creating relatively few clear opportunities. Gamondi acknowledge say football ultimately come down to creating chances and converting them. “For me, football is about trying to create chances and score goals. What they did, they did not create many chances but scored two goals,” e talk. That go be one of main areas for improvement before Madagascar encounter.
Against Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania frequently reach final third but struggle to find decisive pass or finish. The coaching staff go therefore have to work on movement in and around penalty area, decision-making for final third and team ability to break down compact defensive structures.
Gamondi also praise im players for refusing to give up after dem go two goals behind. He say team mentality remain positive until final whistle as dem continue searching for way through Guinea-Bissau low defensive block. “I repeat, this mentality, even two goals down, the players never gave up. This is a very positive thing,” e talk. “We created until the last moment. We tried to break the defence, the low block they put. For me, I’m happy for that.”
That resilience go important against Madagascar, particularly if Tanzania face another opponent willing to defend deep and rely on counter-attacks. Gamondi admit say defeat pain because Tanzania want win in front of dia home supporters, but e believe team still dey right path. “I feel a little bit sad because we wanted to win this game at home. We wanted to give something to the fans,” e talk. “Even after the game, they gave courage to the players. You feel this. We need to give something, at least score a goal.”
With Madagascar next, Gamondi now get quick opportunity to assess whether im players fit turn lessons from Zanzibar into better attacking performance. “Next time, and I think we are on the right way to improve and build this team for the next African Cup of Nations,” e add.
