ANTANANARIVO: It is an island nation united in surprise and excitement — Madagascar is gripped by football fever as the country’s team enjoys an unexpected run at the Africa Cup of Nations.The side, rated 108th in the world, beat three-time cup winners Nigeria 2-0 and emerged on top of group B at the tournament being hosted by Egypt.Now Madagascar’s 25 million people are caught up in suspense as they await the team’s last-16 match on Sunday against the Democratic Republic of Congo.Pierre Rakotoarivony, 50, an amateur youth coach in the Betongolo neighborhood of the capital Antananarivo, said he can feel the excitement building.“Everyone is now enthusiastic because the team have shown us that defeat is not inevitable and that we can achieve feats with effort and perseverance,” he told AFP standing by a dusty playing field.“Today, there are no longer some people who are fans of the game, and some who are not — all Madagascans have become supporters.”Nicknamed “Barea,” after a breed of local cattle, the team were not predicted to even qualify for the tournament, but now they hope to defeat DR Congo for a hallowed place in the quarter-finals.“Everyone speaks only of Barea now all day,” Rakotoarivony said.Since the start of the tournament, shops close early and streets in Antananarivo are deserted for every game.After victories over Burundi and then Nigeria, crowds instantly poured out of houses, blowing whistles, screaming, waving flags, hooting car horns and letting off fireworks.“We have never known this in the history of our country,” said Donna Andrianirina, an accountant in the capital.“On Sunday, my morning schedule is to go to church to pray for victory.”Madagascar has suffered decades of political instability and is one of the poorest nations in the world. But the football has eclipsed many daily worries.“I strongly congratulate Barea because, beyond football, they have achieved a real goal where politicians, religious and civil society have failed — unifying the people,” said 34-year-old Dia Styvanley.“I have never watched a football game from start to finish, but now I do not miss a match and stay taped in front of the TV for 90 minutes with my heart beating.”Players have become instant heartthrobs and the phrase “Alefa Barea” (“Let’s go Barea”) is on everyone’s lips.“All the girls in my class have fallen in love with the players,” confirms a jealous Harisoa Francois Andriambololoniaina, 19, a player from Betongolo.“I’m going to make a lot of effort to join Barea.”National team jerseys — genuine and counterfeit — are selling fast, and money has been pouring into a fund set up before the tournament to help pay for the Africa Cup campaign as the team has often lacked resources.In line with other world leaders when national sporting success is at hand, President Andry Rajoelina has been quick to embrace the team and the popular mood.He gave the side a 175,000 euro ($197,000) cheque before they left, and this week chartered a 480-seater plane to take fans to Sunday’s game — though each passenger will have to pay for the adventure.Ahead of the match, Madagascans had to take in bad news that their star midfielder Marco Ilaimaharitra was suspended after two yellow cards in the group stage.But that will not stop the island dreaming of success.
