By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Madagascar have withdrawn goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher from their national team squad after resurfaced comments he made in 2018 about representing the country.
The 34-year-old Troyes goalkeeper had received his first call-up to the Barea squad from coach Corentin Martins for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Nigeria and Tanzania. However, his inclusion was subsequently reversed after the Malagasy Football Federation reviewed comments he made eight years ago.
In a communiqué, the federation explained that the coach had been informed of public statements attributed to Boucher during an interview several years ago, “at a time when he was not yet aware of his eligibility to represent the Madagascar national team.”
The federation added: “After an exchange of views between the various parties, it was decided not to call up the player to the Barea squad for the upcoming gathering.”
The decision follows the resurfacing of comments Boucher made in 2018, when he was asked about the possibility of playing for Madagascar. At the time, he said: “I am French, I have never been Malagasy. You only need to look at my passport; it says ‘French’.”
Boucher also stated at the time that if he received a call from Madagascar, “the answer is no,” while making clear his preference for France. He said the France shirt was important to him and that he did not intend to play in the Africa Cup of Nations with another country.
The goalkeeper was born in Saint-Pierre, Réunion, and represented France at several youth levels, including the Under-21 team, but never made a senior appearance for Les Bleus. He had subsequently become eligible for Madagascar and was handed his first senior call-up at the age of 34.
Boucher will therefore not be part of Madagascar’s September camp as the Barea prepare for their AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Nigeria on September 25 and Tanzania on September 29.
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