Madagascar showcased remarkable defensive resilience to secure a goalless draw against Mauritania in their Group B opener at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), despite playing nearly half the match with ten men following the dismissal of midfielder Andriamirado Andrianarimanana.
The Barea’s gritty performance in Dar es Salaam saw them withstand relentless pressure from the Mourabitounes, who were left frustrated after failing to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
The opening half unfolded with both teams displaying caution, with neither side willing to take excessive risks early on.
Chances were scarce, and although Mauritania controlled possession for extended periods, Madagascar’s disciplined defensive structure ensured goalkeeper Nina Razakanirina remained largely untested.
The turning point of the match arrived shortly before the break when Andrianarimanana, already on a booking, was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge.
His dismissal, the first of the tournament, appeared to hand Mauritania a golden opportunity to seize control.
However, Madagascar responded with tactical discipline.
Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe reshuffled his formation to maintain a compact defensive block, effectively neutralising Mauritania’s attempts to exploit the extra space.
Substitutions made at halftime, including the introduction of N’Diaye for Mauritania, aimed to inject fresh attacking impetus, but the changes failed to disrupt the Malagasy shape.
As the second half progressed, Mauritania resorted to long-range efforts, with El Hacen El Id and Hemeya Tanjy both trying their luck from distance, only to find the Barea defence unyielding.
Despite their dominance in possession, Mauritania’s precision in the final third deserted them when it mattered most.
Madagascar, although limited in offensive ventures, threatened sporadically on the counterattack, with John Christiano Razafimanana’s pace causing occasional concern for the Mauritanian backline.
In the dying minutes, Mauritania intensified their assault, launching wave after wave of attacks, but Madagascar’s resolve held firm.
Even with the introduction of fresh legs in the form of Hacen and Hattab, Mauritania could not find a way through.
The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils, a result that leaves both teams level on one point, trailing Group B leaders Tanzania, who had earlier defeated Burkina Faso.
For Madagascar, the draw feels like a hard-earned victory given the circumstances, while Mauritania will rue their inability to convert territorial dominance into goals.
As the group stage progresses, Mauritania will be under pressure to sharpen their attacking edge, while Madagascar will take heart from a display of defensive solidarity that could prove vital in their quest for a quarter-final berth.
