Madagascar landed in Nairobi from Zanzibar in a chartered flight on Tuesday afternoon ahead of their quarter-final clash against Harambee Stars on Friday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Madagascar, nicknamed Barea after the country’s zebu, progressed to the quarter-final after overcoming Burkina Faso 2-1 in their final Group ‘B’ match played at Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar on Saturday night.
They leapfrogged Mauritania into second place on goal difference after the two teams finished level on seven points.
Tanzania, which is co-hosting the tournament with Kenya and Uganda, finished top in the group with 10 points.
Madagascar have proven to be no pushovers at the 2024 Chan, demonstrating the grit and resilience that powered their epic runs in the 2019 Afcon, reaching the quarter-finals and 2022 Chan, placing third.
Their performance at those two tournaments was remarkable as they were making debuts in both of them.
Coached by 60-year-old Romauld Rakotondrabe, Madagascar have shown they are not lightweights.
From left: Harambee Stars players Austin Odhiambo, Bryne Omondi, Ryan Ogam, Sylvester Owino, Boniface Muchiri, Michael Kibwage and Alphonse Omija.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Rakotondrabe would know a thing or two about Chan. He is the one who guided the Barea to a third-place finish in the 2022 edition held last year in Algeria.
The Indian Ocean islanders started their 2024 campaign with a 0-0 draw against Mauritania, a match they finished with 10 men after Andiramirado Andiranarimanana was sent off late in the first half.
They then lost to hosts Tanzania 2-1 before bouncing back with a 2-0 thumping of the Central African Republic and a 2-1 victory against Burkina Faso.
Harambee Stars players during their 2024 Chan Group 'A' match against Morocco at Kasarani on August 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Their goalkeeper, Michel Ramandimbisoa, has been one of their standout players. The 39-year-old has saved 17 of the 20 shots he has faced in his four outings thus far.
His shot-stopping abilities have won him three Man of the Match awards -- against Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso.
In attack, midfielder Lalaina Cliver Rafanomesantsoa has been their most productive player. Rafanomezantsoa has contributed to four of Madagascar’s five goals this campaign, scoring two goals and registering as many assists.
The two countries have faced off 10 times in the past, with Kenya winning five matches, losing three, with two draws.
For Madagascar, that was their first international opponent who was not Mauritius or Reunion.
Harambee Stars strike Ryan Ogam (left) fights for the ball with a Zambian player during their 2024 Chan Group 'A' match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Incidentally, Harambee Stars defeated Madagascar 2-1 in August 1987 on their way to reaching the final of the 1987 All-Africa Games football competition.
Madagascar last beat Kenya in April 1987, 2-1 in a 1988 Afcon qualifier.
