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Two late goals from substitutes Toky Rakotondraibe and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa powered Madagascar to a crucial 2–0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) in a tense Group B clash at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 in Dar es Salaam.
Played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on CAR’s Independence Day, the match pitted two sides desperate to stay alive after going winless in their first two games. The result lifted Madagascar off the foot of the table and kept their quarterfinal chances intact ahead of the Burkina Faso–Mauritania fixture later in the evening.
The first half was competitive but short on end product. CAR, still chasing their first points, created early openings through Ange Zoumara and Juvénal Pouguy, while Madagascar’s Jean Ranaivoson drew a smart save from Mauril Abimala.
Both sides pushed at a brisk tempo but wasted promising positions. CAR — having conceded inside 12 minutes in their previous two matches — held firm early on, while Madagascar, bolstered by the return of captain Dax from suspension, struggled to convert possession into genuine threats.
Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe made four changes at halftime, injecting more attacking intent. Still, it was CAR who nearly struck first in the second period, as Ghislain Mounguide twice tested Michel Ramandimbisoa, including a curling effort clawed from the top corner.
Madagascar gradually seized control. Abimala kept out efforts from Rakotondraibe and Fenohasina Razafimaro, but the breakthrough came in the 84th minute when Mamisoa Rakotoson’s blocked shot fell to Rakotondraibe, who tucked the ball neatly into the bottom corner for 1–0.
Spurred on by the occasion, CAR pushed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, with Miambaye Fourdeau heading just wide. But their attacking gamble left them exposed, and in stoppage time Rakotondraibe turned provider, sliding the ball to Rafanomezantsoa, who calmly beat Abimala to seal the win.
The result moves Madagascar into second place in Group B on four points from three matches. Their fate will depend on the outcome of Burkina Faso vs Mauritania later in the day.
For CAR, the loss confirmed their elimination — their third consecutive group-stage exit at CHAN — and extended their goalless run to three matches.
