Nigeria vs Madagascar: The one game the Super Eagles will not want to remember

When Nigeria vs Madagascar meet in Uyo on Friday, the record books will show a fixture largely controlled by the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Five meetings have produced three Nigerian victories, one draw and just one Madagascar win. Yet it is that lone Madagascar victory that continues to cast the longest shadow.

On June 30, 2019, inside Alexandria Stadium in Egypt, a Nigeria side packed with established internationals walked onto the pitch expecting to finish top of their Africa Cup of Nations group.

Ninety minutes later, the Super Eagles left stunned. Madagascar won 2-0, claimed first place in Group B and delivered one of the most memorable surprises of the tournament.

It was the first time the Barea had beaten Nigeria. It was also the first time they had scored against the Super Eagles after four previous meetings.

Six years later, those two goals are still Madagascar’s only goals against Nigeria at senior level.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: The day the Barea shocked Africa

Nigeria arrived in Alexandria with maximum points from victories over Burundi and Guinea. Gernot Rohr’s side had already secured a place in the round of 16 and needed only a draw to finish first in the group.

Madagascar were enjoying their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations appearance. The island nation had never played a match at the tournament before arriving in Egypt.

Nicolas Dupuis’ side had already surprised many observers by drawing with Guinea and defeating Burundi. With four points already in the bag, the Barea only needed a draw against the Super Eagles to advance to a historic knockout stage.

Against Nigeria, however, they produced the finest result in their football history. The breakthrough came after only 13 minutes.

Deep in Nigeria’s John Ogu misplaced a simple pass to Leon Balogun, gifting possession to Lalaina Nomenjanahary, who raced clear, rounded goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and calmly rolled the ball into the net.

The Super Eagles dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances. John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo searched for openings, yet Madagascar’s disciplined defensive block closed every door.

Eight minutes into the second half, the Barea struck again. Carolus Andriamatsinoro stepped up for a free-kick from distance.

His effort clipped Wilfred Ndidi in the wall, wrong-footed Ezenwa and flew into the net. Alexandria Stadium erupted. Madagascar led 2-0. Nigeria never recovered.

When the final whistle arrived, the underdogs had completed a result few had imagined possible before kick-off.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Where the tournament took both teams

Madagascar’s victory secured top spot in Group B with seven points. Nigeria finished second with six.

The Barea carried their momentum into the knockout stage, defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the round of 16.

Their remarkable journey eventually ended in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 defeat to Tunisia.

Nigeria, meanwhile, took a different route through the competition. The Super Eagles beat defending champions Cameroon 3-2 in the round of 16 before overcoming South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Rohr’s men fell 2-1 to Algeria in the semi-finals after Riyad Mahrez’s dramatic stoppage-time free-kick.

The Super Eagles recovered to defeat Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place match and returned home with bronze medals.

History therefore remembers the tournament differently for both nations. Nigeria left with a medal. Madagascar left with a result that transformed the country’s football identity.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Another chapter awaits in Uyo

Friday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier will be the sixth Nigeria vs Madagascar meeting and the first since that night in Alexandria.

Eric Chelle’s Nigeria arrive with familiar names such as Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Moses Simon – all five are the surviving members of the 2019 clash.

Madagascar arrive carrying memories of the greatest victory in their history but the statistics favour Nigeria.

The Super Eagles have won three of the previous five meetings and hold a 5-2 aggregate goals advantage.

Yet one statistic stands above all others. Madagascar have beaten Nigeria only once. The Barea have scored against Nigeria only once. Both happened on the same unforgettable evening in Egypt.

Every rivalry has a result that refuses to fade. For Nigeria vs Madagascar, it is still June 30, 2019.