Ten-man Madagascar are through to the final of CHAN 2024 after a gutsy 1-0 extra-time victory over Sudan at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium a semifinal that demanded everything from the island nation: resilience, patience, and a moment of brilliance at the death. Even after being reduced to ten men in the 79th minute ;when Fenohasina Razafimaro received a second yellow card following a VAR review for striking an opponent, Madagascar stood firm, absorbing relentless pressure from Sudan before snatching the winner in dramatic fashion.
From the onset, the contest bore the weight of its occasion. With the host nation eliminated, the 60,000-seater stadium was sparsely populated a subdued backdrop for one of the most intense matches of the tournament. But on the pitch, there was no shortage of drama. Madagascar began with energy and control, dominating early possession and dictating the rhythm with sharp, patient passing. Sudan, more direct in approach, looked dangerous on the break, content to allow Madagascar the ball and strike with speed when the opportunity arose.
The match was physical from the start. Mohamed Tia Asad earned the first yellow card in the 8th minute for deliberate handball, and it set the tone for a contest that would feature nine bookings and one sending-off. Despite holding 64% possession in the first half, Madagascar struggled to create clear openings. Sudan, meanwhile, had three shots on target before the break and looked the more threatening side going forward. Still, the opening 45 minutes ended goalless, with both teams leaving the pitch knowing the margins were paper-thin.
The second half brought more urgency but continued frustration in the final third. Madagascar’s midfield continued to circulate the ball neatly, but Sudan’s defensive line remained well-structured and largely untroubled. As the match wore on, Sudan began to wrestle control, pushing Madagascar deeper and creating a string of half-chances. Then, the moment that changed the match arrived in the 78th minute.
Madagascar forward Fenohasina Razafimaro, already booked for a heavy challenge, completely lost his composure during a stoppage in play. After a VAR review, he was shown a straight red card for striking a Sudanese player in the face. The islanders were now down to ten men with over ten minutes to go in regular time. The momentum swung immediately. Sensing their moment, Sudan poured forward. In the 89th minute, they carved out the best chance of the game: captain Walieldin Khidir found himself unmarked with the goalkeeper out of position but somehow, he blazed over from close range. It was a staggering miss.
Full-time arrived with the score still locked at 0-0. As the match moved into extra time, Sudan held the clear upper hand: fresher legs, an extra player, and growing pressure on their opponents. Madagascar, now down to ten, dropped into a compact low block and played with visible fatigue, but with immense discipline. Sudan threw on attacking substitutions, dominating territory and peppering the box with crosses and long-range efforts. But their final pass continued to betray them.
Then, in the 115th minute, came the twist no one saw coming. Madagascar broke forward on a rare counterattack, and with near-perfect execution, Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa found space on the right and whipped a low ball into the box. Toky Rakotondraibe met it cleanly, tucking it past the Sudanese goalkeeper. Bedlam erupted on the Madagascar bench. After spending almost 40 minutes with ten men, they had taken the lead against all odds.
The final minutes were frantic. Sudan launched desperate attacks, committed numbers forward, and forced a string of set pieces, but Madagascar held firm. With blocks, clearances, and tactical fouls, they managed the final stretch brilliantly. A ninth yellow card in the 113th minute, this time for right-back Rado Rabemananjara, underlined the sacrifices being made all over the pitch. When the final whistle came at 120+2 minutes, Madagascar’s players dropped to their knees. Exhausted. Emotional. Victorious.Sudan will feel this one slipped away. They created the better chances, played the last third of the game with an extra man, and missed an open goal that would have sent them through. But this night belonged to Madagascar. Their spirit, organisation, and refusal to yield under pressure delivered one of the most memorable victories in CHAN history.
From an early substitution due to injury, to a red card and relentless Sudanese pressure, Madagascar weathered every storm. Now, one match remains. For the first time ever, Madagascar will contest the CHAN final. Ninety minutes away from writing history.
