Madagascar head coach Corentin Martins addressed the media after his side suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Madagascar made a strong start and took the lead against the Super Eagles, but Nigeria fought back to claim all three points. Martins admitted that the result was difficult to accept, arguing that the match was decided by small details.
The Madagascar coach pointed to a missed opportunity to extend his team’s advantage as one of the key moments of the game. He also highlighted the decisive counter-attack that followed Madagascar’s attacking corner, which eventually allowed Nigeria to turn the match around.
Martins was particularly pleased with his team’s first-half display. He said Madagascar were tactically well organised, defended effectively and were able to move the ball out from the back despite facing a Nigeria side packed with experienced players.
However, the coach acknowledged that the physical demands of the match became more difficult for his players after the break. Madagascar continued to create opportunities but lacked the consistency required to maintain their level throughout the entire game.
Asked what his team lacked to secure a positive result, Martins pointed to their limited experience of playing against high-level opposition. He noted that many of Nigeria’s players compete regularly in major European leagues, giving the Super Eagles greater experience in managing crucial moments.
For Martins, the defeat highlighted the importance of learning from key situations, particularly when defending transitions and managing the final stages of attacks.
