CHAN 2024: Late Show Lifts Madagascar Over CAR
Madagascar left it late but produced two goals in the final minutes to claim a vital 2-0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) in their final Group B match at the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Dar es Salaam.
Second-half substitutes Toky Rakotondraibe and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa struck in the 84th and 90+3rd minutes respectively, sealing a dramatic victory that breathed life into Madagascar’s qualification hopes while sending CAR home empty-handed.
Balanced but barren opening
The first half offered plenty of energy but little end product. CAR, eager to register their first points of the tournament, carved out early openings through Ange Zoumara and Juvénal Pouguy but failed to trouble goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa.
Madagascar, buoyed by the return of captain Dax from suspension, controlled stretches of possession yet struggled to find a cutting edge in the final third.
Their best chance came when Jean Ranaivoson’s effort was parried by Mauril Abimala.
Momentum swings in the second half
Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe rang the changes at the break, introducing fresh attacking legs, but it was CAR who came closest to breaking the deadlock.
Ghislain Mounguide forced Ramandimbisoa into two sharp saves, one of them spectacularly clawed out of the top corner.
Gradually, Madagascar began to turn the screw. Abimala was called into action twice to deny Rakotondraibe and Fenohasina Razafimaro before the breakthrough finally arrived.
Madagascar’s late surge
With six minutes left, a blocked shot fell to Rakotondraibe, who calmly swept the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
CAR then threw bodies forward in a desperate bid to equalise, but their adventurous approach backfired in stoppage time.
Breaking quickly, Rakotondraibe turned provider, sliding a pass to Rafanomezantsoa, who slotted home to seal the points and send the Malagasy bench into wild celebrations.
Group B outlook
The result lifts Madagascar to second in Group B with four points, ahead of CAR and still in contention for a knockout spot depending on the outcome of the later clash between Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
For CAR, the defeat ends their campaign with three straight losses and no goals scored — a disappointing outcome on a day when they had hoped to celebrate their national pride with victory.