Madagascar’s national team face Guinea-Bissau on Thursday in Meknes on matchday 3 of Group L, five points adrift of the leaders. Andy Pelmard, the Clermont Foot defender, is meanwhile dealing with an uncertain club situation.
The camp got under way in Morocco. On Thursday 12 November at 16:00 GMT, at the Stade d’honneur in Meknes, Corentin Martins’ Madagascar take on Guinea-Bissau on matchday 3 of Group L of the CAN 2027 qualifiers. According to Foot-africa.com, the two national teams have never met, based on the available data.
The numbers set the scene: the Barea sit third with just one point, while Guinea-Bissau lead the way with six. A defeat to the Djurtus would widen an already significant gap before the reverse fixture scheduled for 18 November, this time with the Bissau-Guineans as hosts, according to the CAF schedule.
A first session focused on recovery
According to Newsmada, Corentin Martins gathered his squad on Monday for a first session devoted to recovery and getting back to physical condition. Around fifteen players took part, including midfielder Marco Ilaimaharitra, El Hadari Raheriniaina, Eshan Kari, Sonny Laiton, Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola and Clément Couturier.
The Malagasy staff did not announce any other training schedule in the available information.
The weight of the Group L table
Madagascar’s record comes down to two matches: a defeat to Nigeria (1-2), then a draw with Tanzania (1-1), according to Newsmada. One point, then, while Guinea-Bissau have strung together commanding wins, beating Nigeria (3-0) and then Tanzania (2-0).
Those six points leave Corentin Martins’ side facing a points imperative. Group L has only produced two matchdays so far: every game carries real weight, and the 18 November return leg looks like a second round that must not be approached with too big a gap.
The Pelmard file remains open
Behind the scenes, the national team’s news intersects with that of Andy Pelmard, the Madagascar international. According to Yahoo Sports and GFFN, he could leave Clermont Foot on a free transfer in January, with the Ligue 2 club struggling to pay his salary. He remains under contract until the end of the season and has played two Ligue 2 matches this season.
According to GFFN, a salary deemed too high led the Clermont sporting director to offer him a free departure this winter, a solution the player accepted. The outlet also mentions loans at Lecce, Las Palmas and then Jagiellonia before a return this summer, a path to be treated with caution given the lack of corroboration.
Nothing in the file suggests that this club situation is weighing on his call-up for the double-header.