CHAN Group B: Madagascar swoops into quarterfinals; group winners Tanzania held

Madagascar joined group winners and co-hosts Tanzania as the teams to advance out of Group B at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Saturday. The Barea edged Burkina Faso 2-1 to sneak past Mauritania into second place on goal difference while Tanzania were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom side Central African Republic in a “dead rubber” match.

At the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, it was the Barea of Madagascar who took an early lead through a wonderful long-range strike from Fenohasina Razafimaro seven minutes after kickoff. The local Stallions pushed to get the equalizer and were rewarded in the 26th minute when Souleymane Sangaré headed home superbly from a delivery by Hanaby Sagné.

Burkina Faso should have gone 2-1, but Malagasy keeper Michel “Toldo” Ramandimbisoa denied a goal-bound effort from Yves Koutiama a minute after the equalizer. Ramandimbisoa was called upon yet again to make a double save, this time to stop efforts from Koutiama and Sagné.

Following the resumption, the Stallions continued to pile on the pressure, but the heroics of Ramandimbisoa kept them at bay for much of the second half. The island nation retook the lead in the 58th minute when Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa calmly converted from the spot after a foul on Fenohasina by Sagné. Burkina Faso’s attempt to come back into the tie was futile due to Madagascar’s strong defensive approach.

In the other game on Saturday, Central African Republic earned their first-ever point at the CHAN with a 0-0 draw against co-hosts Tanzania. The Taifa Stars, with the status of group winner already secured, looked more dangerous but a relaxed effort saw them fail to break through against the Central African defense.

Both teams will play their quarterfinal games next Friday on August 22 with both set to face difficult opponents. Co-hosts Kenya along with Morocco and DR Congo are battling for the top two spots in Group A and Tanzania will face the Group A runners-up in Dar es Salaam while Madagascar take on the Group A winners in Nairobi.

Final Group B Table

1. Tanzania- 10 points
2. Madagascar- 7 points (GD: +2)
3. Mauritania- 7 points (GD: +1)
4. Burkina Faso- 3 points
5. Central African Republic- 1 point