Madagascar’s national football team Head Coach Nicolas Dupuis has named a 23 man squad for the African Cup of Nations that will take place in Egypt next month.
Madagascar is making their first AFCON appearance and they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they make a memorable debut appearance in a fairly tough group B that features Nigeria, Guinea and Burundi.
35-year-old Lyon midfielder Jeremy Morel has been included list of players for the tournament, with another three on standby.
Morel played in Madagascar’s final two Nations Cup qualifiers after deciding to play for the island nations, where his father was born.
Social media users couldn’t help but notice a potential difficulty for the tournament’s commentators due to some of the extremely unique players’ names.
During Afcon I don’t wanna miss a single game for Madagascar, I just wanna hear commentators pronouncing those names 😂🤣🤣😅🙆🏿♂️😱
— Rapitsi (@Rapitsi_R) May 16, 2019
Commentators who will be doing #AFCON2019 games involving Madagascar goodluck with pronouncing the player names… I just tried and my neighbour said sounds like am praying in tongues. Don't know if that's a compliment 😏🤔
— Clyde Tlou (@clydegoal) March 26, 2019
Peter Drury says Madagascar’s qualification to the CAF cup of nations is a nightmare for Commentators because the players have long names 😂😂
— Isaac Ruta (@isaac_ruta) October 20, 2018
Madagascar named a 26 man squad for the friendly match against Luxembourg and by default the provisional squad for #AFCON2019. We wish all the commentators well. pic.twitter.com/AOwgifLHxF
— African Football (@DiskiAfrika) May 16, 2019
Here is the full squad below.
Goalkeepers: Ibrahima Ousmane Arthur Dabo (FC Gobelins, France), Jean Dieu Donne Randrianasolo (CNaPS Sport) Melvin Andrien (FC Martigues, France)
Defenders: Pascal Razakanantenaina (JS Saint Pierroise, Reunion), Dimitry Caloin (Les Herbiers VF, France), Jeremy Michel Morel (Lyon France), Toaviina Hasitiana Rambeloson (Arras, France), Romain Metanire (Minnesota United, USA), Thomas Fontaine (Reims, France), Jerome Mombris (Grenoble, France), Mamy Nirina Gervais Randrianarisoa (JS Saint Pierroise, Reunion)
Midfielders: Marco Ilaimaharitra (Charleroi, Belgium) Anicet Andrianantenaina (Ludogorets, Bulgaria) Ibrahim Samuel Amada (MC Alger, Algeria), Jean Rakotoarisoa (Fosa Juniors), Lalaina Henintsoa Nomenjanahary (Paris FC, France) Rayan Ny Aina Arnaldo Raveloson (Troyes, France) Andriamiraldo Aro Hasina Andrianarimanana (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Forwards: Charles Carolus Andriamahitsinoro (Al Aldalh FC, Saudi Arabia), Faneva Ima Andriatsima (Clermont, France), Tsilavina Martin Rakotoharimalala Njiva (Samut Sakhon, Thailand) Paulin Voavy (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt) William Joseph Gros (AS Vitre, France)
Standby list: Fabien Boyer (Grenoble, France), Sandratriniaina Tobisoa Njajanirina (CNaPS Sport), Andrianavalona Andoniaina Rakotondrazaka (CNaPS Sport)
On Sunday, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed that Harambee Stars will play two international friendly games against Madagascar and Gambia.
The Stars are likely to face Madagascar on June 5th and Gambia on June 7 in Paris, France.
