Madagascar manager Nicolas Dupuis reacts to 2023 AFCON qualifications opener against Ghana

French manager, Nicolas Dupuis who is in charge as the head coach of the Madagascar national team has reacted to their 2023 AFCON qualifications opener against Ghana.

The ‘Barea’ men go in search of second AFCON participation after their maiden appearance in 2019.

The Islands have been drawn against Ghana, Angola, and the Central African Republic in Group E of the qualifiers for the Ivory Coast AFCON 2023.

Unlike Angola and the Central African Republic, Coach Nicolas insists it will be difficult and it will take them a miracle to defeat Ghana.

Madagascar gets their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign underway when they go head-to-head with Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Ghana was last in action back in March when they saw off West African rivals Nigeria on the away goal rule to book their place at the upcoming World Cup in November.

Madagascar also heads into Wednesday’s game off the back of a disappointing run in the World Cup qualifiers, where they finished rock-bottom in Group J, seven points off group winners Congo DR.

Nicolas Dupuis’ side managed just one win, one draw, and lost four of their six games to collect four points while scoring just four goals and conceding nine in that time.

Speaking ahead of the ‘difficult’ game coming up against Ghana, the Frenchman reacted, “It will be very difficult for us to win against Ghana because their team is very good and a beautiful team with beautiful players but my young players have the talent. We have to play simple play.

“My midfielders have to work a lot. It will be very difficult for us. We are playing one of the five best teams on the African continent. If we lose is normal. I have to sit down with my players, you have to work before you play. Between Angola and the Central African Republic, we have to win.” Coach Nicolas told the fastest growing Ghanaian website, Ghanasportspage.com.

“It is very difficult for us because I have five key players out. They are very good players but my young and the local players can do it. There has to be a miracle before we can beat Ghana. He told Ghanasportspage.com.

“We are very proud to play against such a team but we can do surprise. ‘We can’. I think my young players can pull up a surprise.” He concluded.