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Faneva Andriatsima scored Madagascar's second goal against the DRC at the 2019 CAN. Suhaib Salem / Reuters

Madagascar beat Ethiopia for the first round of CAN 2021 playoffs (1-0). A good introduction for the Barea who had experienced a historic quarter-final at their first CAN in Egypt last summer.

Captain and top scorer in the history of the selection, Faneva Andriatsima retired happily on Saturday 16 November at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo.

Rayan Raveloson's only scorer of the day

The group led by coach Nicolas Dupuis, who created the sensation at the CAN 2019 in Egypt by reaching the quarter-finals, has started very well this new campaign of the playoffs. The Malagasy national team now has a status to defend. Madagascar, the first country to qualify for the last edition, beat Ethiopia at home. Rayan Raveloson opened the scoring in the 18th minute, the only goal of the game.

" I thought about it. When, three years ago, we met the coach, my plan was to bring the country to the CAN. We did it. There is also age playing, and there is also my club in Saudi Arabia where I would like to play another year. So do not make the selection too much. I think it's time for me to turn the page. We'll see, if the selection needs me in the years to come, I'll always be available, "Faneva Andriatsima told RFI a few days ago. The former player of Sochaux or even of Créteil was in selection since 2005.

" We achieved remarkable performances, the bar is very high. We must stay at this level. We must do better, "said Nicolas Dupuis before the meeting. The Barea have met Ethiopia (who has not participated in the last three CAN) in a packed stadium. Tuesday, November 19 in Niamey, Madagascar confronts Niger.

In August 2020, the Malagasy (group K) will face Ivory Coast in a round trip counting for the third and fourth day of the playoffs.

Calendar and results