Madagascar vs Ghana Predictions - Black Stars to win in Antananarivo

Madagascar hold a 2-1 advantage over Ghana across three previous meetings. They faced each other in the CHAN tournament in January as Madagascar won 2-1.

In the reverse fixture in AFCON qualification, Ghana won 3-0 at home.

Madagascar have one point from four AFCON 2023 qualifiers. They sit bottom of the group with no real chance of qualifying. 

After a 3-0 loss in Ghana, they drew 1-1 at home with Angola. Their next 13 matches were all in the CHAN tournament with home-based players only as they finished third after beating Niger 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

In March, they played two more AFCON qualifiers. A 3-0 home loss to Central African Republic preceded a 2-0 away defeat to the same opponents.

New coach Romuald Rakotondrabe has called up veteran forward Carolus Andriamahitsinoro to replace the injured Njiva Rakotoharimalala.

Captain Ibrahim Amada is one of two late additions to the squad. The Saudi-based midfielder and fellow central midfielder Tiavina "Dounga" Rakotoarisoa were added to the roster. 

Goalkeepers: Melvin Adrien, Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola, Allan Rakotovazaha 

Defenders: Dorian Bertrand, Fabien Boyer, Ando Manoelantsoa, Romain Metanire, Tantely Avotriniaina Rabarijaona, Jean Martin Rakotonirina, Tantely Randrianiaina, Mahavy Tiana Randrianarisoa, Soloniaina Rajo Nirina Razafindraibearimihanta, Theodin Ramanjary 

Midfielders: Ibrahim Amada, Andriamirado Arohasina Andrianarimanana, Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa, Jean Rakotoarisoa, Tiavina Rakotoarisoa, Mataniah Randrianarihaona, Tokiniaina Randriatsiferana, Kolonia Razafindranaivo 

Forwards: Hakim Abdallah, Carolus Andriamahitsinoro, Toky Rakotondraibe, Zotsara Randriambololona, Angelo Andreas Randrianantenaina, Gilles Razafimaro, Jean Yvon Razafindrakoto

The Black Stars sit top of their AFCON qualifying group with eight points (WDWD). They began Group E by beating Madagascar 3-0 and drawing 1-1 at Central African Republic. 

Ghana were knocked out in the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage. They lost 3-2 to Portugal, beat Korea Republic 3-2 and lost 2-0 to Uruguay. 

In March 2023, they beat Angola in an AFCON qualifying match. A 1-1 away draw in Angola followed as they came from 1-0 down.

Defenders Alexander Djiku and Gideon Mensah have had to make late withdrawals due to injury. Coach Chris Hughton has called up defender Kasim Nuhu and striker Hafiz Konkoni are replacements.

All of the big-hitters have made the squad including Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, the Ayew brothers and Athletic Bilbao centre forward Inaki Williams.

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Joseph Wollacott 

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo, Daniel Amartey, Patrick Kpozo, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, Alidu Seidu, Kasim Nuhu

Midfielders: Salis Abdul Samed, Edmund Addo, Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Bukari, Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Joseph Painstil, Thomas Partey 

Forwards: André Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Kwasi Okyere Wriedt, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Inaki Williams, Hafiz Konkoni

The odds are yet to be released. I will be backing a Ghana win to nil.