Francis Rasolofonirina
Maminiaina Francis Rasolofonirina (born 22 July 1986) is a footballer who plays as a centre-back.[1] Born in Madagascar, he made 47 appearances for the Mauritius national team scoring twice.
Club career
Rasolofonirina was born in Tsihombe, Madagascar.[2] He moved to Toliara to play for North Star before joining USCA Foot.[2] After one season with USCA Foot, he signed with Mauritian club Petite Rivière Noire.[2] He remained with Petite Rivière Noire until 2016, when he moved to Curepipe-based Cercle de Joachim SC who offered a "huge contract".[2] The transfer fee paid to Petite Rivière Noire was reported as Rs50,000.[3] For the 2019–20 season, he went to AS Vacoas-Phoenix.[2]
International career
Rasolofonirina made his debut for the Mauritius national team in 2015.[4] In March 2016 he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Rwanda, preserving Mauritius' chances of qualification.[4]
Style of play
In 2016 Mauritian newspaper Défi Sport described Rasolofonirina as "one of the best full-backs" in the country.[4] In 2020 Clément Rabary of Midi Madagasikara highlighted Rasolofonirina's "intelligence and vision" as centre-back.[2]
Personal life
Rasolofonirina has Mauritian nationality.[2] He is married to a Mauritian woman with whom he has a son.[2]
Career statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | 2015 | 8 | 0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 47 | 2 | |
- Scores and results list Mauritius' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rasolofonirina goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 March 2016 | Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius |  Rwanda |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification | [6] |
| 2 | 22 April 2017 | Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius |  Seychelles |
2–0 | 2–1 | 2018 African Nations Championship qualification |
References
- ^ a b c Francis Rasolofonirina at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rabary, Clément (15 May 2020). "Football : Francis Rasolofonirina, la fierté des… Mauriciens" [Football: Francis Rasolofonirina, the pride of... Mauritius]. Midi Madagasikara (in French). Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "MBPL : Rasolofonirina passe au Cercle de Joachim" [MBPL: Rasolofonirina moves to Cercle de Joachim]. Défi Sport (in French). 7 February 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Li, Olivier (25 April 2016). "Maurice, terre d'accueil pour les sportifs malgaches" [Mauritius, a welcoming land for Madagascan sportsmen and women]. Défi Sport (in French). Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Francis Rasolofonirina". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ "Mauritius 1-0 Rwanda". cafonline.com. CAF. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
External links
- Francis Rasolofonirina at Soccerway