ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - New faces for new goals. This is how one could qualify Madagascar's move ahead of the third window of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

Scheduled to take place from February, 17 - 21, in Monastir, Tunisia, the islanders, who register a 0-3 mark in their qualifiers campaign, hope to make the most of their Group A experience this time around.

They want to leave no stone unturned as they go on their quest for a ticket for FIBA Africa's flagship event, later this year.

This is why the Malagasy called in three foreign-based players, apart from point guard Rija Lahontan, and five other locals to complete a GNBC-studded squad.

Lahontan, who has been a regular with the Malagasy national team since 2019, will travel to Tunisia from France, alongside GET-Vosges' Kiady Razanamahenina and Elan-Chalon's Sitraka Raharimantoanina, who both wore the Malagasy outfit in FIBA Africa U16 and U18 events.

They will catch up with Lalason Nirina Michel Ratsimbazafy, who plies his trade for Basket Club M’tsapere in Mayotte.

Added to the four players mentioned above, the technical staff has called in Zico Lucadro Sen from GNBC, ASCUT's John Ravelomantsoa and Natenaina Rabenandrasana and SEBAM's Anthony Nelson Rasolomanana and Lomario Josianis Todimasimana.

Solofohery Angelot Razafiarivony, Madagascar's head coach, hopes that the new additions will be enough to overcome their opponents and clinch at least two victories.

"They have skills and experience. We shall be needing everything that can help us achieve our goal, which is to bring our flag to Kigali for the Final Round,"Razafiarivony said to FIBA.basketball.

Elly Randriamampionona has made it to the final roster ahead of the trip to Tunis

Monastir is the ultimate stop to make the Malagasy dreams come true. "We need to do better, much better than last time in Kigali. We need to be coherent, strong and solid against our opponents," he added.

This is why he has also renewed his trust to players like team captain Vallery Olivier Botou, Elly Randriamampionona and Francis Mory Ramanampamony. "We are set out to bring back two victories. And we have given ourselves the means to achieve our goal," the play-caller explained.

One week earlier, the Malagasy Basketball Federation hosted the national championships. This gave the players called for the national squad a run ahead of their training camp with the head coach.

"Before we went to Kigali last year, we had spent more than six months in lockdown. Therefore, there were no training camps, no team building activities," reminds coach Razafiarivony. 

This is why he asked and obtained that the national championships be held ahead of the next Qualifying window later this month. "The players have spent some time on the court and this is the best way to have them in a good physical condition ahead of the training camp."

In November 2020, Madagascar saw their 4-0 winning come to a halt when they met reigning African champions Tunisia, DR Congo and Central African Republic in Group A clashes.

This time, they hope to level up and and turn some tables along the way.

"Anything can happen in Tunisia. The climate is more or less the same that in Antananarivo. So the players won't see it as a major issue.

"We need to translate their intentions into actions," notes Razafiarivony. The stakes are even higher this time, he acknowledges. "Having lost our first three games into the Qualifiers makes it even more difficult, but it has also given us a new perspective. We need to remain confident and try as hard as we can to get our ticket," concludes the coach.

 FIBA