Madagascar stands on the verge of a historic return to the FIBA AfroBasket, requiring one final effort to secure their place in Angola. With a skilled squad and an enthusiastic home crowd supporting them, the Ankoay are prepared for a crucial clash in the qualifiers.
Last Updated on
February 22, 2025
Madagascar enters the final window of the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers with a mix of ambition, talent, and an unwavering belief that they can end their 14-year absence from Africa’s premier men's national team tournament.
Since their last appearance in 2011, when they hosted the competition, the Ankoay have been chasing a return to the continental stage. Now, with a squad that has developed strong chemistry over the past four years, they stand on the precipice of history.
What makes this team dangerous is the blend of skill, athleticism, and experience within their ranks. Elly Randriamampionona has been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 15 points per game while showcasing his ability to knock down shots from deep.
Alongside him, Sitraka Raharimanantoanina brings a solid inside-out game, averaging 12.7 points and pulling down seven rebounds per contest. Their frontcourt is further strengthened by Livio Ratianarivo and Alpha Solondrainy, two of the country’s most decorated 3x3 players instrumental in Madagascar’s triumph at the 2024 FIBA Africa Cup 3x3. Their physicality and ability to play in transition add an extra dimension to the team’s offense.
Then there’s Mathias M’Madi, one of the brightest young talents to emerge from Malagasy basketball in recent years. The MVP of the 2022 FIBA Africa U18 AfroBasket and the top scorer of the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, M’Madi is a versatile guard who can dictate the pace of the game, score at all three levels, and facilitate for his teammates.
His presence adds a spark to a backcourt that will soon welcome back Kiady Mijoro Razanamahenina, whose absence in the first qualifying window was a significant loss. With Razanamahenina back in the fold, Madagascar has even more depth and leadership to lean on.
But talent alone won’t be enough. Madagascar will need every ounce of energy and support it can get, and that’s where its fans come in. The Palais des Sports de Mahamasina in Antananarivo will be transformed into a cauldron of noise, with thousands of passionate Malagasy supporters roaring behind their team. Few home-court advantages are as electrifying as this one, and the Ankoay will need to feed off that intensity as they face their biggest test yet.
The challenge ahead is daunting. Madagascar fell to Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt earlier in the qualifiers but managed a thrilling victory over the Central African Republic.
Now, with just one game left, the scenario is clear: a win over CAF would secure their ticket to Angola. Even a narrow loss—by six points or fewer—would still be enough to see them through. But if they lose by eight or more, their dream is over.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, but this is what the Ankoay have been preparing for. With a talented squad, a passionate fan base, and history within reach, Madagascar has everything to play for. Can they seize their moment?
[Photography Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
