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Thursday, June 27, the national football team of Madagascar faces for the second day of group B the other small pouch of the Africa Cup of Nations: Burundi. The Malagasy, who played equal games against Guinea (2-2), continue the adventure in this shock for a possible qualification for the next round. Reportage.
From our special envoy to Alexandria,
As every evening on Alexandria, as the sun goes down, the sky takes on this pink color before giving way to the stars. And since the start of qualifying for this edition in Egypt, the Barea believe in theirs.
Joy of living on all floors
What strikes with the Malagasy is this good mood, this joy of living against this CAN so long dreamed. Even Jérémy Morel, ankle-deep, his face dripping with sweat after a solo jog, always has the same smile. The Lyonnais blends into the group: no distinction is visible between local, former selection or binational.
" They are all Malagasy and they all represent our country, " slips a journalist from the Big Island. " I have rarely met anyone so joking, " says the team's photographer about Jeremy Morel. Here, everyone is part of the big puzzle that allowed Madagascar to participate in the 32nd edition of the CAN. The wait was so long, no one sulks his pleasure.
After a historic qualification in the finals and a successful first match against Guinea (2-2), the Barea are still hungry. " It would be stupid to stop there, I know my players will give it all. We have the state of mind for, "says coach Nicolas Dupuis. And against Burundi, another novice in the competition, the teammates Abel Anicet, scorer at the first meeting, or Carolus, who also shake the nets Guineans, intend to extend the adventure.
Be " serious " without " being afraid of doing wrong "
" We are going to the CAN to show that we are not accidentally qualified, that we deserve our place to be among those countries qualified for the competition. We play football to live this kind of things. I will not go there as a spectator or tourist. We are really going to do something, "said Thomas Fontaine to France Football a few weeks ago.
Today, Jérôme Monbris admits that this is not the time to " put the pressure ". The defender of Grenoble believes that we must approach the following with " serious ", but without " being afraid to do wrong ". " We have to play our game and send our wisps ahead. In front of Burundi, it is a final before the hour to cross a new historical cape for our country ", he adds.
On the second goal against Guinea, the Big Island trembled. " We want it to tremble again ", hopes Jérôme Mombris. The group returns to the hotel where as every evening, the meal will be punctuated with bursts of laughter and songs. Since the beginning of the preparation in Lisses in the Paris region, we are witnessing the life of a group of friends that football brings together. Nothing is more refreshing in these times of scorching heat.