CHAN: 10-man Madagascar shocks Sudan to reach final

Madagascar are into their first-ever final at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after the Barea found a late goal in extra time to stun Sudan by a 1-0 score in Tuesday’s opening semifinal at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Toky Rakotondraibe’s 116th minute finish was the difference for a Barea side that was reduced to ten players late in the second half. However, Sudan failed to make their numerical advantage count and the Malagasy defense held on valiantly before a clinical team movement secured a historic landmark.

Sudan only have themselves to blame. After continuing the theme of excellent defending in an uneventful first half, the Sudanese appeared set to find a way past the Barea. After Madagascar striker Fenhasina Razafimaro was sent off in the 79th minute when a stray arm caught the face of Sudan’s Awad Zaid, Sudan’s victory seemed inevitable when the Video Assistant Referee review resulted in a red card for Madagascar’s main goal scorer.

But resilience pushed the Barea through. After Sudan star Walieldin Khidir somehow missed a golden chance with the goal begging in the 89th minute, fortune was in favor of the Malagasy team who capitalized late in extra time when Rakotondraibe knocked down a cross and then finished a splendid series of passes.

It is the first-ever appearances in a final of any kind for Madagascar in African football, who now await the winner of Tuesday’s second semifinal between Morocco and Senegal in Kampala. Madagascar have won the Indian Ocean Games’ football tournament on three occasions but their best previous finishes in African competition came with a third place finish at the 2022 CHAN as well as the 2015 COSAFA Cup.

The Barea will face the winner on Saturday (August 30) at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Sudan will face the loser in Friday’s third place match in Kampala.