2024 Chan: Madagascar’s courage comes up against Morocco’s mean defence in final showdown

Hosts Kenya will only be spectators after the Harambee Stars were knocked out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage. Kenya bowed out in a heartbreaking fashion, losing 4-3 on post-match penalties to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time at MISC Kasarani on Friday last week. The final match will be attended by several dignitaries, among them President William Ruto and Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to CAF, the closing ceremony will start at 2pm, and will feature a flurry of entertainment from top musicians from the three host nations. The artists include Kenya’s celebrated producer and songwriter Savara Mudigi, formerly of Kenyan afropop band Sauti Sol, Sitya Loss hit-maker Eddy Kenzo from Uganda, and Tanzanian Bongo flava singer Zuhura Othman Soud, better known by her stage name ‘Zuchu’. CAF said the performances at the closing ceremony will be a celebration of the cultures of the three host nations.

In reaching the final, Morocco, coached by former international Tarik Sektioui lived to the billing, having widely been regarded as one of the tournament’s favourites.

Progress

At position 12 in Fifa rankings, Morocco is the top-ranked African nation. While Madagascar has made notable progress in football in recent years, finishing sixth at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and third in Chan on their debut in the 2022 held in Algeria, many never expected them to advance this far. The Indian Ocean islanders are ranked 115th globally.

Yesterday, their 60-year-old coach attributed their impressive run in the tournament to hard work.

He expressed hope that his side would carry the day, noting that the victory would go a long way in lifting the spirit of Malagasies back home who are currently grappling with several challenges, including economic hardships.

“A win will mean a lot to us and the people of Madagascar. They are currently facing a lot of challenges, so we believe winning the final will bring hope to them,” said Rakotondrabe at the pre-match conference held at MISC Kasarani.

“We respect Morocco as favourites, but that doesn’t mean that Madagascar doesn’t deserve to be in the final. We are in the final to compete,” he added.

In the final, he will miss the services of three players, including striker Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro who was red-carded in their semi-final match against Sudan on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute, Madagascar won the match 1-0 courtesy of Toky Niaina Rakotondraibe’s 116th-minute strike. On the other hand, Sektioui said winning the Chan title would mean a lot to him, as it would not only enrich Morocco’s football history but his CV too.

With Morocco having played in all three host countries, Sektioui said winning the Chan title would be a perfect reward for their long travels in pursuit of a place in the final.

“We respect Madagascar. Throughout the tournament, we have not underestimated our opponents,” said Sektioui who guided Morocco to winning bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Our journey to the final has not been easy because we have travelled to all the three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). That has taken a toll on the players but we are motivated and determined to win,” he added.

Superb leadership

In the final, Madagascar’s veteran goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa is among the players to watch. The 39-year-old, nicknamed “Toldo,” has played a pivotal role in the team’s campaign with crucial saves and superb leadership.

Ramandimbisoa saved 17 of the 20 shots he faced in four Group “B” matches. He was named Man-of-the-Match three times: against Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso. The Indian Ocean islanders have exhibited composure in high-pressure moments, a strength which could prove decisive for them in the final. Morocco, too, has a top goalkeeper in El Mehdi Al Harrar.

Their danger men include creative full-back Youssef Belammari, attacking midfielder Mohamed Hrimat, and top scorer Oussama Lamlaoui. Lamlaoui has emerged as the tournament’s stand-out striker with four goals and an assist.

The ‘Atlas Lions” also boast a mean defence, having conceded once in their last three matches. While the winner of tonight’s match will pocket Sh452.7 million, the loser will receive Sh155 million ($1.2 million). All the 19 teams which featured in the tournament received cash rewards from CAF.

Madagascar qualified for the knock-out stage after finishing second in the group stage with seven points behind hosts Tanzania who topped with 10 points. The Indian Ocean islanders started the campaign poorly, drawing 0-0 with Mauritania and losing 2-1 to Tanzania.

The “Barea” bounced back in their last two group matches, defeating Central African Republic 2- 0 and Burkina Faso 2-1.

At the quarter-finals stage at MISC, Kasarani, Madagascar edged out Kenya 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time.

On the other hand, Morocco defeated holders Senegal 5-3 in post-match penalties after drawing 1-1 in regular and extra time of the semi-final held in Kampala, Uganda. Previously in the quarter-finals, the “Atlas Lions” defeated hosts Tanzania 1-0.

The North Africans finished second in Group ‘A’ with nine points behind Kenya, who topped with 10 points. Morocco defeated Angola (2-0), Zambia (3-1), and DRC (3-1). They lost 1-0 to 10-man Kenya.