MATCH FACTS: Madagascar take on CAR in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday

Madagascar and Central African Republic are the only two winless teams in Group B as they prepare to meet in a vital African Nations Championship clash in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

This will be the first meeting between the sides at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship. Madagascar, playing their eighth game at CHAN, will face an eighth different opponent. CAR are the first Central African team Madagascar will meet, while this is CAR’s first match against a side from outside West Africa.

Madagascar – Key Facts

• Lost their last game to hosts Tanzania 2-1, trailing 2-0 before Nantenaina Razafimahatana scored in the 34th minute.
• First team to score against co-hosts Tanzania, who had kept clean sheets in their first two games.
• Still winless after opening with a 0-0 draw.
• At their 2022 debut, they won their first three matches; this is the first time they have failed to win either of their opening two games.
• Played a third group match for the first time in 2022, when their group was reduced to three teams.
• Loss to Tanzania was their first CHAN group defeat; record now P4 W2 D1 L1.
• First time conceding more than one goal in a CHAN match.
• After winning their first three CHAN matches, now have one win in their last four (D1 L2).
• Attempted 423 passes vs Tanzania (most at current edition), completing 329 with 77.8% accuracy.
• Mamisoa Rakotoson attempted 64 passes vs Tanzania, the most by a Madagascan this tournament.
• Had 12 shots vs Tanzania, two on target.
• Andy Rakotondrajoa won possession back nine times vs Tanzania, the most for Madagascar.

Central African Republic – Key Facts

• Lost 4-2 to Burkina Faso and 1-0 to Mauritania.
• Will be eliminated without a win.
• Conceded five goals in two games.
• Conceded inside the first 12 minutes in both matches.
• Chasing first points and clean sheet.
• Managed 16 shots vs Mauritania, their most in a CHAN match.
• Dimitri Kogbeto had four shots vs Mauritania, the most for a CAR player this tournament.
• Benjamin Namngbena attempted 51 passes vs Mauritania, the most by a CAR player; also had 68 touches, the most in the match.
• Donal Banagagbi won three tackles vs Mauritania, the most for CAR.
• Had three shots on target vs Mauritania, failed to score, and conceded with the only shot they faced.