Madagascar/Central African Republic: A Tale of Two CHAN Journeys – Madagascar’s Dream Stays Alive, CAR Face Harsh Lessons

The Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, delivered two stories on Wednesday night — one of hope, the other of reflection.

Madagascar, led by the ever-strategic Romuald Rakotondrabe, claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR), keeping their quarter-final hopes alive at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024.

For Rakotondrabe’s men, it was more than just three points — it was the first win of their campaign, a reward for tactical courage and mental resilience.

For Sebastien Ngato and his CAR squad, it was the end of their CHAN journey, but not without valuable lessons to carry forward.

A Victory Built on Desire and Resilience

After a tense start, Madagascar had to dig deep to find their rhythm. Rakotondrabe admitted the mental battle was just as tough as the physical one.

“It was difficult for us psychologically at the beginning of the match. We didn’t get off to a good start, and fortunately we scored two goals in the final moments of the match. This was due to our desire to win, and we did everything we could to achieve that,” Rakotondrabe said

“Those goals not only brought relief but also underscored the team’s hunger. This was no casual win — it was a statement.”

Why These Three Points Matter More Than Most

For Madagascar, the victory is a lifeline.

“The victory is very important and the three points are precious. This represents our first victory in this tournament, and these points will qualify us for the quarter-finals.

“We have a difficult match ahead of us against Burkina Faso in the last round, and we will have to deal with it according to its difficulty.”

The coach’s words reveal both confidence and caution — understanding that their destiny may still hinge on the results of other matches, but knowing that momentum is now on their side.

Tactical Tweaks That Changed the Game

Rakotondrabe also offered insight into the adjustments that shifted the match in their favour.

“At the beginning of the match, we started with a 3-5-2 tactical plan, and tried to play on the wings, but we decided to change our style and move to a 4-4-2 plan in the second half,” he said.

“Honestly, we tried to play quickly throughout the match. In the midfield, I noticed that we were weak, and if we improve things at the level of the field, we will be able to succeed and achieve victory. The first tactical method did not work for us, so we changed it, and after that we put four players in the midfield.”

It was a shift that brought stability, balance, and ultimately, goals.

Eyes Firmly on the Quarter-Final Prize

Despite the unpredictable nature of group-stage football, Rakotondrabe remains upbeat about his side’s prospects.

“Yes, we have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. We will wait for the outcome of the match between Burkina Faso and Mauritania. The points from the last match are important for us to continue in the tournament.

“We have four points, which motivates us before the final match. Psychologically, we will be prepared for the final match.”

The message is clear: this team believes they belong among CHAN’s final eight.

CAR’s Struggles in Front of Goal

On the other side of the pitch, Sebastien Ngato was left to rue missed chances.

“The first half was average. There were many opportunities that we couldn’t convert into goals. In the second half, after we made changes, especially in attack, there were many missed opportunities, which put pressure on the attack.

“Ultimately, the match turned in favor of our opponents.”

His side’s inability to find the net proved costly, with elimination confirmed before the final whistle of their group campaign.

Lessons for the Future

Ngato, however, insists that this setback is part of the team’s growth.

“The players didn’t perform well in the second half of the match. They didn’t do what was required of them on the field,” he said

“With the tension and difficulty of the match, we failed. This is the school of life, and we will learn from this how to prepare for the upcoming events.”

He also acknowledged the role of inexperience in the defeat.

“We made substitutions and focused on attack because the defense was working well. We could have scored after many chances, but there were mistakes that were probably due to the presence of young players in our team.

“We made a difference through our substitutions in the match. The loss came and we learned lessons in the midfield, which I don’t know what happened with. We will examine where the faults were and continue working.”

Two Contrasting Journeys, One Shared Passion

For Madagascar, this match will be remembered as the night their CHAN campaign truly began. For CAR, it will serve as a reference point in their journey to becoming a stronger force in African football.

Both sides leave Dar es Salaam with different emotions, but united by the same lesson — at CHAN, every moment counts, and every match can redefine a team’s story.

By CAF.