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2024 Chan: 'We'll rise again': Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe chooses hope over despair
Madagascar coach Romuald Felix Rakotondrabe.
Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe has hailed his charges for delivering a strong performance at the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), and vowed that they will continue working hard in pursuit of the title in the near future.
Despite being underdogs, the Indian Ocean islanders rode on their hard work, resilience and unity to finish second at the 19-nation, biennial showpiece that concluded on Saturday in Nairobi.
The “Barea” went down fighting 3-2 to African football giants Morocco in the final at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani. Although Rakotondrabe admitted that they were heartbroken to lose in the final, he said his players gave good accounts of themselves throughout the tournament, including giving Morocco a run for their money.
Madagascar National team coach Elysée Tony Randriamanampisoa in action on August 21, 2025 during their training session for Confederation of Africa Football Total Energies Africa Nations Championship (Chan) Quarter-finals match against Kenya at Police Sacco Stadium.
“I am very proud of my players because they matched Morocco,” said Rakotondrabe after the final. “Congratulations to them. They put up an excellent performance in this tournament. It has been good but difficult to lose in the final,” said the 60-year-old coach. By finishing second at the 2024 Chan, the Southern African nation improved on their third-place finish at their debut campaign in the 2022 edition in Algeria.
In the final, Madagascar struck against the run of play when Clavin Felicite Manohantsoa netted a stunning ninth-minute opener.
Morocco responded in the 27th minute through Youssef Mehri’s header, before Oussama Lamlioui put them ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Still fighting hard, Madagascar equalised in the 68th minute through Toky Rakotondrabe, but Morocco eventually carried the day as Lamlioui sealed his brace with a superb volley, beating veteran goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa after spotting him off his line.
Coach Rakotondrabe said lack of focus by his charges is to blame for the first two goals that they conceded against the "Atlas Lions" while the third one was “strange”.
Goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa headed into the final as one of the top shot-stoppers in the tournament, having impressed with incredible saves and superb leadership at the group stage. He was named man-of-the-match three times; against Mauritania, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.
Tanzania national football team players pose for a group photo before a Group 'B' 2024 African Nations Championship match against Madagascar at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on August 17, 2025.
Citing hard work as the secret behind their impressive run, Coach Rakotondrabe said they will carry the same mindset from Chan as they continue striving to win major tournaments, including the tournament.
“It all boils down to hard work. We have been working hard over the last two months on tactics and physicality,” said the tactician.
“We have to maintain the mindset and positive spirit. We must continue living as one family, as that is what our strength is. We will continue to work hard to win the tournament one day,” he added.
