Anicet Abel
Anicet Abel Andrianantenaina | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 13, 1990 Antananarivo, Madagascar |
| Other names | Anicet Abel |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | Midfielder for Maccabi Bnei Reineh and captain of Madagascar national team |
Anicet Abel Andrianantenaina (born 13 March 1990) is a professional footballer from Madagascar who operates as a midfielder for the Israeli Premier League team Maccabi Bnei Reineh and serves as captain of the Madagascar national squad.
AJ Auxerre
Originating from Antananarivo, Anicet launched his football journey with Ajesaia before entering the youth ranks of AJ Auxerre in 2004. By 2008, he had advanced to Auxerre B, accumulating 42 appearances and netting four goals in the Championnat de France amateur. Among his significant contributions was a goal that helped secure a 2–0 victory against Lyon-Duchère, bolstering the team's competitive position.
Chernomorets Burgas
On 8 September 2011, Anicet signed a three-year contract with Bulgarian club Chernomorets Burgas on a free transfer. He made his debut two days later in the A Group, contributing to a 4–0 home triumph over Vidima-Rakovski. His first goal for Chernomorets came on 17 September, when he scored from 20 meters in a 3–0 away win against Svetkavitsa. However, on 6 January 2012, he announced his retirement and departure from the club. This led to a transfer dispute between CSKA Sofia and Chernomorets following his presentation as a CSKA player on 23 January 2012.
CSKA Sofia
Anicet’s debut for CSKA Sofia and in European competition occurred on 19 July 2012 during a goalless away draw against ND Mura in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. His league debut for CSKA followed on 19 August in a 1–1 draw away to his former side Chernomorets Burgas. On 15 September, he scored twice in a 3–0 home victory over Botev Vratsa, converting a penalty in the first half and adding a headed goal after the hour mark. He completed the season with six goals across 26 league matches.
Botev Plovdiv
Anicet transferred to Botev Plovdiv on 26 June 2013 ahead of the 2013–14 A Group campaign. He made his first appearance on 4 July in a Europa League first qualifying round away win (1–0) against Astana. His league debut came on 21 July in a home win (2–1) over Levski Sofia. A week later, he scored his inaugural goal for Botev by heading in shortly after being substituted on during a commanding 7–1 home victory against Pirin Gotse Delchev. On 14 September, he delivered two goals in a crucial 2–0 derby triumph versus city rivals Lokomotiv Plovdiv, underscoring his rising influence. Throughout his tenure at Plovdiv, Anicet tallied ten goals in 35 appearances, playing a key role in guiding Botev to the 2014 Bulgarian Cup Final and securing qualification for the Europa League.
Ludogorets Razgrad
In July 2014, amid financial challenges at Botev, Anicet signed with reigning champions Ludogorets Razgrad. He debuted on 16 July by scoring shortly after coming off the bench in a dominant 4–0 victory over F91 Dudelange during UEFA Champions League qualifiers. His league debut was three days later in a narrow 1–0 defeat to Haskovo. On 23 August, he netted twice to help Ludogorets earn a 2–2 draw against Lokomotiv Sofia. Anicet appeared in the Champions League group stage for the first time on 16 September, featuring in a 2–1 loss to Liverpool. He contributed three goals over 22 league matches as Ludogorets clinched the league title that season.
Following another championship win in the subsequent season (2015–16 A Group), Ludogorets progressed to the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League group stage by overcoming OFK Titograd and Red Star Belgrade. Finishing third in their group allowed them entry into the Europa League knockout rounds ahead of Basel. Anicet participated in both round of 32 fixtures against Danish club F.C. Copenhagen, where Ludogorets were eventually eliminated.
On 20 July 2021, after seven years with Ludogorets, Anicet announced his departure from the club by mutual consent, expressing appreciation for his tenure there.
Future FC
In October 2021, he transferred to the Egyptian Premier League side Future FC. Throughout his time there, he participated in five matches but did not record any goals or assists.
Beroe
Anicet made his way back to Bulgaria in August 2022, signing a contract with Beroe.
Maccabi Bnei Reineh
On 24 January 2023, he committed to Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Bnei Reineh.
International career
Anicet earned his initial call-up to the Madagascar national team on 4 July 2007. He made his international debut on 6 September 2015 during a goalless draw against Angola in the qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. He netted his first goal for the senior national team on 13 October 2015, scoring in a 2–2 draw with the Central African Republic during the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
On 12 June 2019, he was included in Madagascar's squad of 23 players for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt. During the opening match on 22 June, he scored Madagascar’s inaugural goal in the tournament against Guinea and earned the Man of the Match award.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Super Cup | Total | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Auxerre B | 2008–09 | National 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | Template:Fix/category[citation needed] | |||
| 2009–10 | 21 | 3 | — | — | — | 21 | 3 | Template:Fix/category[citation needed] | |||||
| 2010–11 | 25 | 1 | — | — | — | 25 | 1 | [1] | |||||
| Total | 48 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 4 | – | ||
| Chernomorets Burgas | 2011–12 | First League | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 6 | [1] | ||
| Total | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | – | ||
| CSKA Sofia | 2012–13 | First League | 26 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | [1] |
| Total | 26 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | – | ||
| Botev Plovdiv | 2013–14 | First League | 35 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 11 | [1] |
| Total | 35 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 11 | – | ||
| Ludogorets Razgrad | 2014–15 | First League | 22 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4 | [1] |
| 2015–16 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | [1] | ||
| 2016–17 | Parva Liga | 25 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 2 | [1] | |
| 2017–18 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 6 | [1] | ||
| 2018–19 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | [1] | ||
| 2019–20 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 | [1] | ||
| 2020–21 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | [1] | ||
| Total | 148 | 11 | 22 | 2 | 53 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 226 | 16 | |||
| Future | 2021–22 Egyptian Premier League | Egyptian Premier League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ০ | ০ | ০ | ৫ | ০ | [1] |
| Total | ৫ !০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ৫ | ০ | ||||
| Beroe Stara Zagora | 202২-২৩ First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) | Bulgarian First Professional League | ১১ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ১১ | ০ | [1] |
| Total | ১১ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ১১ | ০ | |||
| Maccabi Bnei Reineh | 202২-২৩ Israeli Premier League | Israeli Premier League | ১১ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ০ | ১১ | ০ | [1] |
| Total | ১১ | ০ | ০০ | ০০ | ০০ | ০০ | ০০ | ০০ | ১১ | ০০ | |||
| Career total | ২৯৭ | ৩৭ | ৩৬ | ৫ | ৬১ | ৩ | ৩ | ০০ | ৩৯৫ | ৪৫ | – | ||
International Career
| National Team | Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madagascar | 2015 | 5 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 15 | 3 | |
International Goals
- The scorelines list Madagascar's goals first.
| No. | Date | Location | Opponent | Score at Goal | Final Score | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 October 2015 | Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo, Madagascar | Template:Fb | Template:Center | Template:Center | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers |
| 2 | 22 June 2019 | Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | Template:Fb | Template:Center | Template:Center | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 3 | 20 November 2019 | Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey, Niger | Template:Fb | Template:Center | Template:Center | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers |
Achievements
Ludogorets Razgrad
- Seven consecutive Bulgarian First League titles: 2014–15 through 2020–21 seasons
- Two Bulgarian Supercup victories: 2018, 2019
Individual Accolades
With National Team
- Man of the Match against Guinea, Group B: Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019
- Selected in the Best XI for the Group Stage: Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019
- Man of the Match versus DR Congo, Round of 16: Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019
- Awarded Knight Order of Madagascar: 2019
Records Held
- First player from Madagascar to compete in the UEFA Champions League: 2014
- First Malagasy footballer to score in the UEFA Champions League (during debut): 2014
- First Malagasy scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations (on debut): 2019
Personal Life
In November 2020, Anicet was identified among several Ludogorets players who contracted COVID-19.
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- Articles without Wikidata item
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Malagasy men's footballers
- Madagascar men's international footballers
- Footballers from Antananarivo
- Men's association football midfielders
- AJ Auxerre players
- PSFC Chernomorets Burgas players
- PFC CSKA Sofia players
- Botev Plovdiv players
- PFC Ludogorets Razgrad players
- PFC Beroe Stara Zagora players
- Maccabi Bnei Reineh F.C. players
- Championnat National 2 players
- First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
- Israeli Premier League players
- Malagasy expatriate men's footballers
- Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria
- Expatriate men's footballers in France
- Expatriate men's footballers in Israel
- Malagasy expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria
- Malagasy expatriate sportspeople in France
- Malagasy expatriate sportspeople in Israel
- Ajesaia players
- 2019 Africa Cup of Nations players
- Modern Sport FC players
- Recipients of orders, decorations, and medals of Madagascar