CHAN 2024: Madagascar Coach Sends Message to Kenyans After Eliminating Harambee Stars
- Madagascar head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe had beautiful things to say about Kenya despite eliminating them from CHAN 2024
- Rakotondrabe's side frustrated Harambee Stars before showing nerves of steel to win the penalty shootouts and reach the semi-finals
- Madagascar will now prepare to face Sudan in the semi-finals on Tuesday, as Kenya picks up the pieces after a heroic campaign
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Madagascar head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe had a glowing message for Kenyans and the national team, Harambee Stars, after eliminating them from CHAN 2024.
Source: UGC
The island nation defied all the odds and overcame a spirited Kenyan side backed by a raucous crowd to reach the semi-finals.
Madagascar beats Kenya at CHAN 2024
It was the second time in a row that the Barea are reaching the semi-finals after their brilliant campaign in their debut appearance in 2022.
Kenya were the favourites to progress after seeing off the likes of DR Congo and Morocco to win Group A.
The 12th man has always been available to drive the team forward, putting Madagascar in a very difficult spot ahead of the game.
Nonetheless, the Malagasy weathered the storm and frustrated Kenya before eventually eliminating them on post-match penalties.
What did Madagascar coach say after eliminating Kenya?
Rakotondrabe was graceful in victory, stating that his side were lucky to beat a good Kenyan side. He admitted that he had done his homework on Benni McCarthy's men, but still needed luck to get there.
"We knew Kenya would be dangerous in front of their fans. We had to adjust during the game. It's football. I can't tell you right now that we're stronger than Kenya. That's not true. But at least we qualified. So we're happy, that's it. First of all, congratulations. I've watched all of Kenya's matches. That's why I said, luck is already on our side, maybe," he said in his post-match remarks.
Roro, as he is known, admitted that the penalties almost broke his heart. Madagascar were the first ones to miss a penalty but bounced back to win after Michael Kibwage and Alphonce Omija failed to convert their penalties.
"The penalties were very difficult, almost broke my heart. It is always difficult to play penalties. We were the ones who missed the first penalty. It was difficult to come back from that. Luckily, our team saved another one, too."
How did Madagascar qualify for CHAN 2024 quarter-finals?
Barea began their campaign with a goalless draw against Mauritania before losing to Tanzania in their second group game in Dar es Salaam.
They recovered to beat the Central African Republic before seeing off Burkina Faso in their final group game to finish as Group B's runners-up.
Source: UGC
"No one believed we could make it to the semi-finals. Now, we've won against our country, against Kenya. I think it's the result of hard work. Honestly, we worked very, very hard. We worked a lot, so I think it's the result of hard work," said the head coach.
What next for Madagascar at CHAN 2024?
The Malagasy have now reached the semi-finals in back-to-back editions and will be hoping to go two steps further than they did last time.
The bronze medalists of 2022 will play Sudan in the semi-final on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Sudan beat 2022 finalists Algeria on post-match penalties on Saturday evening.
"The players have shown they can handle pressure, they can adapt and fight. Now we must continue with the same mentality in the semi-final," said Madagascar's head coach.
Can Kenya appeal result vs Madagascar?
In a related report, a section of Kenyans are up in arms, demanding an appeal against Harambee Stars' disallowed goal.
Ryan Ogam had doubled Kenya's lead, but the referee disallowed the goal for a push by Ben Stanely in the build-up.
CAF allows for appeals and protests by national teams, but some matters, like referees' decisions, do not fall in this category.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
