CAN 2027 Qualifiers: Madagascar drops Boucher and sends a replacement to Nigeria
The Troyes goalkeeper was removed from the squad after resurfacing comments made in 2018. The Malagasy team has sent a replacement ahead of their opening match.
Madagascar has sent a replacement goalkeeper to Nigeria after removing Zacharie Boucher from their squad for the first two matches of the CAN 2027 qualifiers, Reuters reported on Wednesday, September 23, citing officials. The Barea will kick off their campaign on Friday against the Super Eagles.
The Malagasy Football Federation announced on Saturday, September 19, that the Troyes goalkeeper would not be retained after all. This decision came two days after his first call-up with the Barea.
The federation explained that head coach Corentin Martins had been made aware of public statements attributed to the player in a 2018 interview. In that interview, Boucher identified himself as French and dismissed the idea of representing Madagascar or participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. The resurfacing of these comments sparked reactions from fans and former Malagasy internationals.
The initial squad included two other goalkeepers, Geordan Dupire and Nina Rakotoasimbola. The identity of the replacement sent to Nigeria has not been specified. Madagascar will then face Tanzania on September 29 in Group L.
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