Madagascar recored a surprise 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Estadio de Bata in Bata on Saturday.

Victory moves the Islanders a step closer to a first Afcon appearance. Barea, who stunned Sudan 3-1 in Al-Ubayyid before holding heavyweights Senegal to a 2-2 draw in Antananarivo, top Group A with seven points after three matches.

Veteran forward Faneva Andriatsima scored the only goal of the game for the Island nation who could book their ticket to Cameroon in the reverse fixture at the Vontovorona Stadium on Tuesday

Defeat leaves Nzalang Nacional on three points from their allotted matches, and in desperate need of a win next week to keep their Afcon hopes alive.