A Claudel Fanomenza strike ensured Madagascar beat Seychelles 1-0 in their Group A, 2016 COSAFA Cup match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Following the loss, Seychelles have zero points in the group and occupy the bottom place.
The Group A encounter saw the Malagasy taking the game to the Pirates side, but they failed to open their defence in the first 10 minutes.
However, against the run of play, Claudel Fanomenza managed to beat the offside trap and scored in the 21st minute in what turned out to be a winner in the match.
A minute later, the Pirates came close to bagging an equaliser when Nelson Lawrence hit the upright.
With five minutes remaining to the interval, Rinjala Raherinaivo came close to doubling the lead when his shot was blocked after holding onto the ball for too long.
It was 1-0 at half time.
In the second stanza, Sarivahy Vombola was brought down in the penalty area and it looked like a penalty but the referee waved play on.
With 20 minutes remaining Steve Marie played a back pass and Vincente Euphrasie almost allowed it into his goal before clearing.
In the end, the Malagasy held onto their lead and walked away with the full three points.
The win means the Malagasy now top the group with three points after the 2-2 draw between Swaziland and Zimbabwe in the opening match of the group.
Seychelles: (0)
Madagascar: (1) 1 ( Fanomenza 21′)
Seychelles: Jose Vincent Euphrasie, Yanick Mondo, Nelson Lawrence, Jones Joubert, Benoit Marie, Gervais Waye-Hive, Achille Henriette, Carl Hoprich, aniel Mailet, Collin Bibi, Lucas Panayi
Madagascar: Toby Sandratriniaina, Randrianiaiana Tantley, Michel Fetranianina, Ando Manoelantsoa, Jaotambo Bourahim, Sarivahy Vombola, Rinjala Raherinaivo, Francois Randrianmonjanahary, Chretien Andriamifehy, Solo Rakotoarinosy, Bela Fanomezana
