Madagascar puts a cap on CHAN debut with bronze

Madagascar have ended their debut at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 with bronze courtesy Yves Razafindrakoto’s 90th minute goal against Niger, at the Hadefi stadium in Oran.

It is an incredible tail for a country that has now given a good impression of themselves in two major competitions on the continent, at the 2019 AFCON (quarter-finalists) and now, the CHAN 2022.

For most parts of the first stanza, the game was at pedestrian pace, as both sides were not clinical enough.

Madagascar however had chunks of the possession but no breakthrough in the final third. In search for an opener, the Malagasy bench had to make an injury inspired Substitution, bringing off Soloniaina Rajo for Rado Mbolasoa.

Madagascar waere the most industrious and increased the onslaught towards the Menas goal.

The first real chance in the game for Madagascar came in first half stoppage time.
Yves Razafindrakoto’s initial shot was parried straight back into play by Kassali Djibo and Tsiry completely ballooned the ball over, much to the dismay of coach Romuald Rôrô and the over 18,000 fans at the Miloud Hadefi stadium.

Three minutes after returning from the locker for the second half, another chance fell for Randriatsiferana Tsiry. This time he was calmer, as he shimmied to the right but captain Boureima Katakoré sniffed the danger, and came across to block the shot.

At the 58th minute, Andriamirado Aro “Dax” galloped with the ball and into Niger’s area unperturbed. Yves Razafindrakoto
surprisingly found himself in space after an attempted pass from Dax took a kind deflection off Djibo but Yves’ snap shot was blocked out for a corner.

Goalkeeper Djibo was once more suspect with an absolute howler at the 90th minute. Tendry Manovo drilled from range and Djibo spilled yet again. Jean Yves Razafindrakoto was right on queue to knock it in for the winner.

Niger from that point were Well and truely beaten despite efforts on set-pieces from Adamou Ibrahim.

Madagascar, against all odds, popped up winners in group C which included Ghana, Sudan and Morocco. They later defeated Mozambique in the quarter-final before falling one-nil to Senegal in the semi. This third place win is historic for the country and proves to what level football is developing on the continent.