CHAN
Rakotondraibe’s Extra-Time Winner Fires Madagascar into Historic CHAN Final
Madagascar have reached their first-ever African Nations Championship (CHAN) final after edging Sudan 1-0 in a dramatic semi-final clash at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday evening.
Substitute Toky Rakotondraibe was the hero for the Barea, striking the decisive goal in the 116th minute to seal a famous victory and book a place in Saturday’s final in Nairobi, where they will face the winner of Morocco’s clash with Senegal.
Both teams entered the contest chasing a maiden CHAN final appearance, and the opening half reflected the stakes. Sudanese forwards Mohamed Tia Asad and Mazin Al Bahli tested Malagasy goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa early, while Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa and Fenohasina Razafimaro provided Madagascar’s attacking spark. Despite half-chances at either end, the first half ended goalless.
Sudan pushed harder after the break, with Walieldin Khdir squandering a clear header on 53 minutes and Mubark Abdalla seeing a late effort blocked. Madagascar nearly stole it in regulation time through Bono Rabearivelo, but his strike flew just wide, sending the match into extra-time.
The game opened up in the additional 30 minutes, with both goalkeepers called into action. Ramandimbisoa pulled off fine stops to deny Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Musa Hussien, while Mohamed Abooja frustrated Madagascar with saves from Randriamanampisoa and Rafanomezantsoa.
The deadlock was finally broken four minutes from the end. Rafanomezantsoa’s clever run and pass released Rakotondraibe, who calmly slotted past Abooja to send Malagasy fans into wild celebrations. Sudan launched a late siege but could not find a reply, extending their wait for a first CHAN final after semi-final exits in 2011 and 2018.
The result marks another milestone in Madagascar’s rapid rise, having claimed bronze on their tournament debut in 2022. “Our strength lies in unity,” coach Romuald Rakotondrabe said afterwards. “The players kept believing until the end, and this victory belongs to them and to Madagascar.”
Madagascar now head to Nairobi’s Moi Sports Centre Kasarani for Saturday’s final, while Sudan will remain in Dar es Salaam to contest the third-place playoff on Friday.
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The African Nations Championship (CHAN) will witness a historic encounter on Tuesday as Morocco and Senegal go head-to-head for the first time in the tournament’s history, with a place in the final at stake in Kampala.
The clash pits together the winners of the last three editions—Morocco, champions in 2018 and 2020, and defending champions Senegal—making it a true battle of giants.
Morocco’s Consistency
The Atlas Lions arrive in Kampala with an imposing record, having won four straight matches, including a hard-fought 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Tanzania.
Should they win again, it would be the third time Morocco has recorded five wins in a single CHAN edition, after achieving the feat in 2018 and 2020.
Morocco’s dominance in knockout stages is evident: they have won seven of their eight matches, with their only defeat coming against Nigeria in 2014. They have never been taken to penalties and only once required extra time—against Libya in the 2018 semifinal.
Striker Oussama Lamloui has been the standout, netting four goals in his last three outings. Another strike would place him alongside CHAN greats Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi as one of only three Moroccans to hit five goals at a single edition. Midfielders Youssef Mehri and Youssef Belammari have been equally influential, combining for five assists.
Overall, Morocco boast nine goals scored, three conceded, and two clean sheets in the tournament. They are also the most potent attacking side among the semifinalists, registering 29 shots on target.
Senegal’s Defensive Steel
Senegal, meanwhile, have built their title defence on grit and organisation. The Teranga Lions edged co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarterfinals to reach their third CHAN semifinal (2009, 2022, 2024). Despite scoring just three goals in four matches—all in the second half and by different scorers—the defending champions have conceded only once.
Their record in knockout stages is equally impressive. Senegal have never lost a semifinal in open play, drawing both previous appearances before deciding them on penalties. They are unbeaten in their last eight CHAN matches and have kept four consecutive clean sheets in knockout football.
Goalkeeper Marc Diouf has been a pillar of stability, producing five saves against Uganda in his best display of the tournament so far. Midfielder Oumar Ba, who scored the decisive goal in the last round, has also emerged as a key performer.
A Clash of Styles
Statistically, Tuesday’s semifinal sets up as a clash of Morocco’s firepower against Senegal’s defensive resilience. Morocco are prolific against West African opposition, having scored 17 goals and conceded just seven across eight previous CHAN encounters. Senegal, on the other hand, have yet to score from open play against North African opposition but hold the mental edge of being defending champions.
With both sides chasing history—Morocco seeking a third final appearance and Senegal aiming to become only the second defending champions to return to the final—Kampala will host a semi-final loaded with pedigree, history, and high stakes.
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When Madagascar and Sudan step onto the pitch for their semi-final at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the spotlight will inevitably fall on strikers, coaches, and tactics.
Yet, in truth, this contest may be defined in the silence between the posts.
Two goalkeepers — Madagascar’s 39-year-old Michel ‘Toldo’ Ramandimbisoa and Sudan’s penalty hero Mohamed Alnour ‘Abooja’ Adam Saeed — carry the weight of nations, their gloves the final line between triumph and despair.
Walls Between the Posts
Few players at CHAN PAMOJA 2024 have captured the imagination like Ramandimbisoa. At 39, he represents both longevity and leadership.
Though not always wearing the captain’s armband, he has embodied calm and resilience for the Barea.
His saves against Mauritania in the opener set the tone, holding the line even after Madagascar’s leader was dismissed.
Three Man of the Match awards, two clean sheets, and countless interventions later, he has become a tournament icon.
The quarter-final against Kenya showed why. In front of a roaring Kasarani crowd, Ramandimbisoa denied two penalties in the shootout, steering Madagascar to a historic 4-3 victory.
As one teammate put it: “When Michel stands in goal, we feel ten feet taller.”
On the other side is Mohamed Abooja, Sudan’s fearless last line. Against Algeria — finalists in 2022 and heavy favorites — he etched his name into folklore.
After 120 minutes of drama, Abooja saved twice in the penalty shootout, dismantling Algerian dreams and lifting Sudan into their first CHAN semi-final since 2018.
Abooja, reflecting on that night, told CAFonline.com: “In penalties, you cannot show fear. I read the striker’s body, I commit late, and I trust my instincts. That’s what gave my team the belief to go through.”
Contrasting Styles, Same Impact
Ramandimbisoa’s strength lies in anticipation and positioning. He rarely dives unnecessarily, preferring to command his box like a general, cutting angles before opponents even realize.
His voice never stops; he organizes, instructs, calms.
Abooja, by contrast, thrives in chaos. He is instinctive, feeding off pressure, often producing the extraordinary when it matters most.
His shootout saves against Algeria were not just technical — they were psychological blows that broke the opposition’s rhythm.
Together, they represent a clash of philosophies: experience versus instinct, composure versus raw courage
Psychological Edge
Semi-finals are often not about who plays better football, but who manages nerves. Ramandimbisoa, with nearly two decades in the game, knows how to silence pressure.
He explained after the Kenya win: “Penalties are not just about technique. You must be calm. If I look calm, the striker starts to panic. That is my weapon.”
Abooja, meanwhile, thrives on energy: “When I save, I don’t just save for myself — I save for Sudan. I want my teammates to see me fight, so they fight harder.”
Should this semi-final stretch into extra time or penalties, the psychological tug-of-war between these two men could eclipse any tactical battle.
Beyond the Gloves: Carrying Nations
For Madagascar, Ramandimbisoa symbolizes belief. At 39, he has become the unlikely face of a team that continues to punch above its weight.
For Sudan, Abooja is the beating heart of a side playing under unimaginable adversity, with domestic football crippled by conflict.
Both keepers, in different ways, embody resilience.
Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah said of his No.1: “Abooja is more than a goalkeeper. He gives this team courage. When he saves, the whole nation feels lifted.”
Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe was equally effusive: “Michel is our leader, even without the armband. He shows our players that nothing is impossible.”
The Decider in Dar es Salaam
As the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium fills with anticipation, fans will look for goals, for celebrations, for moments of attacking brilliance.
Yet the real story may unfold in the quiet determination of two men between the posts.
If Ramandimbisoa continues his fairytale, Madagascar could reach their first-ever CHAN final. If Abooja repeats his heroics, Sudan could deliver East Africa’s first finalist.
Whichever way it goes, the narrative of CHAN PAMOJA 2024 will remember not only the goals scored but the goals denied — by the walls named Ramandimbisoa and Abooja.
-CAF
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No more home advantage as the African Nations Championship gets to the home stretch. All three co-host countries have been eliminated as the CHAN 2024 takes a dramatic turn.
All three co-hosts, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, were dumped out of the competition at the quarter-final stage over the weekend.
Uganda were the latest casualties on Saturday, falling 1-0 to defending champions Senegal in front of more than 35,000 passionate home fans.
The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Libasse Guèye delivered a dangerous cross from the right that eluded Uganda’s defence and was turned home by Oumar Ba, underlining Senegal’s tournament pedigree.
Earlier, Kenya’s campaign ended in heartbreak as they became the first host nation to bow out, losing on penalties to a resilient Madagascar.
Tanzania followed soon after, edged 1-0 by Morocco, the two-time champions and immediate past holders.
The quarter-final outcomes have set up a heavyweight clash between reigning champions Senegal and Morocco, who lifted back-to-back titles before Senegal’s triumph. In the other semi-final, Sudan—who ousted Algeria on penalties—will take on Madagascar in a surprise showdown.
With the host nations gone, attention now turns to whether Senegal can defend their crown or if Morocco will reclaim theirs, as Madagascar and Sudan eye a fairytale run to the final.
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