Madagascar edge Sudan to reach first-ever CHAN final

The game was cagey from the start, with chances falling at both ends

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News26 August 2025 - 20:41

In Summary

Madagascar now travel to Nairobi for Saturday’s final at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, where they will face either defending champions Senegal or two-time winners Morocco.
Sudan, meanwhile, will play in the third-place playoff on Friday in Dar es Salaam.

Madagascar made history Tuesday evening after edging Sudan 1-0 in extra time to reach their maiden African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Toky Rakotondraibe, who came in as a substitute, struck in the 116th minute to settle a tense semi-final contest in the match played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Tanzania.

Both sides came into the clash chasing a first appearance in the CHAN final.

Madagascar, who clinched bronze on debut in 2022, battled a Sudan side competing in their third semi-final after heartbreaks in 2011 and 2018.

The game was cagey from the start, with chances falling at both ends.

Sudan’s Mohamed Tia Asad and Mazin Al Bahli forced saves from Michel Ramandimbisoa, while Madagascar threatened through Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa and Fenohasina Razafimaro.

But neither side managed to break the deadlock before halftime.

Sudan looked the more dangerous after the restart, with Walieldin Khdir spurning a close-range header and Mubark Abdalla denied late on.

Madagascar nearly snatched it in normal time when Bono Rabearivelo fired wide, but goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja’s heroics for Sudan meant the game drifted into extra time.

The additional 30 minutes finally sparked drama.

Sudan pressed through Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Musa Hussien, but Ramandimbisoa stood tall.

Then, with penalties looming, Rafanomezantsoa unlocked the Sudan defence with a clever pass, allowing Rakotondraibe to calmly slot home.

Sudan rallied desperately in the dying minutes, but the Barea held firm to seal their place in the history books as the first island nation to reach a CAF senior final.

Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe hailed his players’ resolve: “Our strength lies in unity. They kept believing until the end, and this victory belongs to the whole nation.”

Madagascar will now travel to Nairobi for Saturday’s final at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, where they will face either defending champions Senegal or two-time winners Morocco.

Sudan, meanwhile, will play in the third-place playoff on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Kampala, Uganda.

Madagascar beat Kenya 4-3 in penalties to advance to the semis, while Sudan edged out Algeria in post-match penalties