Preview: Angola vs Madagascar - prediction, team news, lineups

Defending champions Angola and Madagascar will kick off the semi-final round of the 2025 COSAFA Cup on Friday noon at Free State Stadium.

This will be the first-ever meeting between both sides in the competition, despite having faced each other eight times previously across Africa Cup of Nations and CHAN qualifiers.

Match preview

Just like their path to lifting the trophy in 2024, Angola’s progression to the knockout stage this year was seamless, with Pedro Goncalves’s men picking up seven points from three games to finish top of Group B.

Their journey began in dramatic fashion as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Namibia in a game where both sides found the net deep into stoppage time, with Depu’s late penalty cancelled out shortly after.

That result was quickly put behind them as Angola returned to the pitch for a commanding 4-0 victory over Lesotho, propelling the reigning champions to the summit of the group.

A narrow 1-0 win over Malawi in their final outing ensured the Palancas Negras sealed the only qualification slot in their bracket and underlined their title credentials.

Having previously lifted the trophy in 1999, 2001, 2004 and last year, Angola are firmly on course to be crowned champions in back-to-back editions for the first time in their history.

Although meetings with Friday’s opponents have produced more draws than wins, the Black Sable antelopes remain unbeaten in this fixture after eight encounters and have recorded two victories, with hopes high for a repeat in what will be their first clash outside a qualifying format.

While Madagascar have mostly played second fiddle in this head-to-head, they also trail in terms of COSAFA pedigree, with their best performance being a third-place finish in 2015, meaning the Barea are bidding for a maiden final appearance.

The road to the last four has been anything but straightforward for Hemed Suleiman’s side, who required a helping hand from elsewhere to sneak through Group C’s three-team bracket.

Madagascar opened with a 1-0 win over Tanzania and appeared set to take care of business themselves when Lalaina gave them the lead against Eswatini, but they failed to hold on and were pegged back.

The 1-1 draw meant the Barea’s fate hinged on Tanzania avoiding defeat in the final group match, but the Taifa Stars did more than that by beating Eswatini, allowing Suleiman’s men to progress with four points.

Angola Cosafa Cup form:

Angola form (all competitions):

Madagascar Cosafa Cup form:

Madagascar form (all competitions):

Team News

Depu, currently the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals, will again carry the threat up front and remains one of Angola’s key attacking outlets.

Rayo Vallecano midfielder Randy Nteka made a strong return from suspension by netting the decisive goal in their last match, having missed the second round after receiving a red card in the opener.

Pedro Nanque and Jonathan Buatu are both in contention for a starting role in central defence after being named on the bench in their most recent game.

However, goalkeeper Signori Antonio will remain sidelined after sustaining an injury during the opening match against Namibia.

Madagascar came through their draw with Eswatini unscathed, giving head coach Suleiman a full squad to select from.

The 54-year-old tactician has kept faith with the same starting eleven and 4-3-3 setup throughout the competition, and there is little indication he will stray from that formula at this crucial stage.

Angola possible starting lineup: 

Neblu; Gaspar, Mananga, Nanque, Bondo; Gilberto, Manuel, Show, Banza; Depu, Nteka

Madagascar possible starting lineup: 

Lalain’arinjaka; Radiamanampisoa, Rafanomezantsoa, Hajatiana, Rabarijaona; Randrianirina, Rakotosan, Dax; Razafimanana, Razafimaro, Rakotondraibe

We say: Angola 1-0 Madagascar

This fixture has rarely delivered goals in the past, with all previous encounters ending in low-scoring affairs and both teams failing to score in six of those meetings.

While a similar tight contest is anticipated here, Angola’s experience in the competition and the smooth nature of their campaign so far gives them the edge, though it could still be a cagey battle that stretches into extra time.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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