Corentin Martins has named a 25-man Madagascar squad for Friday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo. Here is the full list, the new faces and the Barea players the Super Eagles need to watch.
The Madagascar squad vs Nigeria is a 25-man group built by coach Corentin Martins for Friday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier in Uyo. It mixes French-based experience with two first-time call-ups. Here is the full list, the players worth knowing, and what it all means for the Super Eagles.
Madagascar have named 25 players, led by coach Corentin Martins, with two first-time call-ups and the return of striker Warren Caddy.
Martins announced his list on 17 September, as AfricaSoccer.com reported. The same group covers two games in four days.
The Barea landed in Lagos earlier this week and then connected to Uyo. Meanwhile, Éric Chelle has been working with the Super Eagles in camp since Monday. For our full build-up, read our Nigeria vs Madagascar preview.
Below is the list as Martins announced it on 17 September.
Goalkeepers: Zacharie Boucher (ESTAC Troyes), Geordan Dupire, Nina Rakotoasimbola.
Defenders: Rado Rabemanantsoa, Mathieu Acapandié, Ehsan Kari, Andy Pelmard, Sandro Tremoulet, Thomas Fontaine, Ryan Ponti, Morgan Jean Pierre, Bono Rabearivelo, Tony Randriamanampisoa.
Midfielders: Marco Ilaimaharitra, Rayan Raveloson, Behaja Randriamalala, Andy Rakotondrajoa, Loïc Lapoussin, Nicolas Randriamanampisoa.
Forwards: El Hadary Raheriniaina, Hakim Abdallah, Arnaud Randrianantenaina, Roman Ferber (Atert Bissen), Warren Caddy, Nicolas Fontaine.
One note of caution. Some Nigerian outlets reported this week that Boucher’s place was in doubt, while others said he trained with the group. So, we’ll only know the final 23 for Uyo on matchday.
Madagascar don’t have a household name on the level of Ademola Lookman. However, several of their players have real top-flight European experience. These are the names we would keep an eye on.
Fontaine is the veteran voice at centre-back. He was part of the side that reached the AFCON quarter-finals in 2019, Madagascar’s best run at the tournament. In fact, much of the Barea’s shape without the ball runs through him.
Ilaimaharitra is a disciplined holding midfielder with years of experience in France and Belgium. He screens the back line and slows games down. As a result, Nigeria’s midfield will need quick passing to pull him out of position.
Raveloson brings energy and a long passing range from central midfield. Lapoussin, meanwhile, is a direct wide player who likes to run at full-backs. Together they give Madagascar their best route into the final third.
Caddy’s recall adds a physical centre-forward option. Ferber, on the other hand, is the uncapped newcomer that Martins clearly wants to test. Neither has a big international goal record yet, but both will look to punish any lapse at the back.
Expect a compact, patient Madagascar side. Away from home against one of Africa’s strongest teams, Martins is unlikely to open the game up early. Instead, the Barea will probably sit in a mid-to-low block and look to counter through Lapoussin.
That said, this is a confident group. Madagascar reached the final of the last African Nations Championship (CHAN), a run built on home-based players. That tournament showed a team that competes hard and doesn’t fold under pressure.
For Nigeria, the challenge is breaking down a deep defence without Victor Osimhen. We covered his absence in our report on Osimhen missing the AFCON qualifiers. Consequently, more creative responsibility falls on Lookman and the wide players.
Chelle named 24 players for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau double-header. You can see every name, club and position in our Super Eagles 24-man squad breakdown. On paper, Nigeria’s squad carries far more Premier League and Champions League experience.
Even so, qualifiers are rarely won on paper. The Super Eagles have dropped points against lower-ranked sides before. For that reason, the first half-hour in Uyo will tell us a lot about how Chelle’s side handles a packed defence.
After Friday, Nigeria turn their attention to Guinea-Bissau. Our Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau preview covers that second fixture.
This Madagascar squad is organised, experienced at the back and hungry after their CHAN run. It is not, however, a squad packed with match-winners. We expect Nigeria to see plenty of the ball, and the key question is whether they can find the final pass against a deep block.
If you’re planning a bet on the game, read our Nigeria vs Madagascar prediction and betting tips first. We also rate the best betting sites in Nigeria for Super Eagles markets.
Corentin Martins, a former France international, coaches Madagascar. He named the 25-man squad for the Nigeria and Tanzania qualifiers.
Nigeria host Madagascar on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Kick-off is 5pm Nigerian time.
Goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and striker Roman Ferber received their first call-ups. Striker Warren Caddy was recalled.
Madagascar host Tanzania four days after the Uyo game, in the second round of AFCON 2027 qualifying.
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