Madagascar's national football team received a heroes’ welcome after landing at the Ivato International Airport on Sunday following their second-place finish at 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), the competition that Kenya co-hosted with Tanzania and Uganda from August 2 to August 30.
Before the squad departed Nairobi for Madagascar, Thierry Serge Tsitoara, a member of the executive committee of the Madagascar Football Federation, told Nation Sport in an exclusive interview that Madagascar’s performance at Chan 2024 had united the country.
“We are usually divided in different matters, but football has united us all,” Tsitoara, who is the president of the communications and marketing committee in the Madagascar Football Federation’s executive committee, said.
“I read comments about the performance of the team by Madagascans on social media, and they are very proud,” he added.
On Facebook, Madagascar’s president Andry Rajoelina expressed similar remarks in his message of congratulations to the squad.
“You have shown the world the level of Malagasy football. We are the vice champions of Africa. You made Madagascans stand as one, united in one heart and voice. We are proud of the game you played. We are not ashamed because you fought until the end and brought national glory and football history to our land,” Rajoelina posted on Facebook in a statement.
“I thank Madagascans for supporting the teams, and special thanks to those who went to the stadium in Nairobi. We are proud Madagascar is shining, not discouraged but moving forward,” Rajoelina’s statement added.
Madagascar fans dance as the players arrive at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on August 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The squad landed in Antananarivo at 3:30 pm on Sunday. From there, they were ferried aboard an open-top bus to the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, where thousands of Madagascans had gathered to receive them in an event organised by the Malagasy government to celebrate and honour them for their achievement. Excited fans had started filling the stadium from as early as 11 am, one and a half hours before the team’s plane left Nairobi.
Their bus snaked through crowds of excited fans who lined the streets waving flags and cardboard cut-outs of a bull’s head, a symbol of their national team that derives from their nickname, ‘Barea’, the name of the species of zebu cows that are indigenous to Madagascar. Others stood on rooftops holding posters with images of players and banners that read “Thank you, Barea” and “Welcome, Barea”.
The streets were also lined with lamppost banners that bore images of players with their names and “Thank You” written on them.
The squad soaked in the adulation, taking photos and videos while interacting with the crowd with cheers, smiles, and waves. They also proudly displayed their silver medals and waved the Madagascar flag.
At the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina led the country in celebrating its heroes in an event marked with music, a firework display, and speeches.
“Welcome home, Barea. You have proved again that you can unite the country and fill it with national pride,” Rajoelina stated on Facebook in a post accompanied by images of the squad’s arrival and reception at the Mahamasina Stadium.
People line up along the streets in Antananarivo ahead of Madagascar's team arrival back home in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on August 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
It is likely that the celebrations will not stop there, as different events could be organised to celebrate individual players in their communities and hometowns.
After Madagascar finished third at Chan 2023, the team’s coach, Romuald Rakotondrabe, was celebrated in an event hosted in his honour by his community in Ambohimanga Rova, a rural town on the outskirts of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. Rakotondrabe was ferried to the event’s venue aboard a tipper truck branded with his nickname – Coach Roro.
While there, he was given a goat and a certificate for his services to Madagascan football. Having now led the team to a second-place finish at Chan 2024, his community will most likely honour him with more gifts and awards.
