Madagascar make history with first CHAN final appearance after narrow win over Sudan

Madagascar secured a historic berth in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) final after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Sudan in a tense semi-final at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The decisive moment arrived deep into extra time, when substitute Toky Rakotondraibe struck in the 116th minute to send the Barea into Saturday’s final in Nairobi, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Morocco and Senegal.

Both nations were chasing their first CHAN final appearance, and the game reflected the stakes with intense, nervy football. Madagascar, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, faced a resilient Sudan side making their third semi-final appearance after previous heartbreaks in 2011 and 2018.

The match opened with chances at both ends. Sudan’s Mohamed Tia Asad and Mazin Al Bahli tested Madagascar goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa, who stood firm, while the island nation relied on the energy of Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa and Fenohasina Razafimaro to fashion half-chances.

Despite flashes of promise, neither side could break the deadlock in the first half, as coaches Kwesi Appiah (Sudan) and Romuald Rakotondrabe (Madagascar) urged patience, aware that a single lapse could decide the tie.

Sudan came closest after the break. Walieldin Khdir missed a gilt-edged header in the 53rd minute, and Mubark Abdalla saw a late effort blocked. Madagascar’s best opportunity in normal time fell to Bono Rabearivelo, who fired narrowly wide from a set-piece. With Sudan’s disciplined defending and goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja in top form, the match went into extra time still deadlocked.

The additional 30 minutes brought the breakthrough. Sudan’s Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Musa Hussien forced smart saves from Ramandimbisoa, while Madagascar responded with long-range efforts from Randriamanampisoa and Rafanomezantsoa, both denied by Abooja.

The decisive strike came in the 116th minute when Rafanomezantsoa weaved into space and set up Rakotondraibe, who calmly drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Wild celebrations erupted on the Malagasy bench and among traveling supporters.

Sudan pressed for a late equalizer, with Musab Makeen heading wide and Hussien’s effort blocked, but Madagascar held firm. The Falcons of Jediane’s wait for a CHAN final continues.

For Madagascar, the victory cements their status as one of Africa’s most exciting football stories. After winning bronze on their 2022 debut, they now aim for gold, becoming the first island nation to reach a CAF senior final.

Coach Rakotondrabe praised his side’s resolve: “Our strength lies in unity. Today, the players kept believing until the very end. This victory belongs to them and to Madagascar.”

For Sudan, it was another cruel semi-final exit. Coach Appiah had emphasized the desire to bring joy to the Sudanese people, and while they fell short, their spirited performance earned admiration across the continent.

Madagascar now heads to Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi for Saturday’s final against two-time winners Morocco, while Sudan will face Senegal in Friday’s third-place playoff in Dar es Salaam.

CHAN PAMOJA 2024 has already delivered a compelling narrative: the resilience of Sudan in adversity and the remarkable rise of Madagascar, now just one step away from continental glory.