Tien-Man Madagascar produced a dramatic extra-time winner to beat Sudan 1-0 in Dar Es Salaam and to book his place in his very first African Nations Championship (Chan) final.
Madagascar, who finished third three years ago in his only earlier appearance, will be confronted with Morocco, which Senegal decreased 5-3 after the two parties went 1-1 in the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Madagascar had a better start when the possession dominated for a scarce Benjamin Mkapa stage -mixed and created two early chances, but the first half ended as aimless.
Sudan, who appeared in his third semifinal in 2011 and 2018 after almost accident, had the better chances in the second half, with Walieldin Khidir missing a gilded header in the 53rd minute.
The match seemed to swing in the direction of Sudan in the 79th minute when Madagascar’s Fenohasina Razafimaro, who scored the quarterfinals rectifier against Kenya to send the match, was sent for a second bookable attack.
Sudan used his one-man benefit to launch a barrage of attacks, but could not make a breakthrough because the game ended with 0-0 after 90 minutes.
It seemed to go to a penalty shoot-out until the replacement Toky Rakotondraibe was beaten in the 116th minute, drill the ball past goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja to send Madagascar and the hope of Sudan to reach his first final.
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«Our strength is in unity. Nowadays the players continued to believe until the end, and this victory is theirs and Madagascar,» said coach Romuald RakotondraBe.
Saturday’s final in Nairobi will draw Madagascar against the much more experienced Moroccans, who reached their third Chan final in seven years.
«It was a tough match against the defending champion, but the players showed calmness at the most important moments,» said Morocco Coach Tarik Sektioui.
«We fought hard to reach this phase, and now we want to win the trophy again,» he added.
It was the very first Chan-Meeting between the two African giants, and it was Senegal, the defending champion, who pulled the first blood when defender Joseph Layouse went home up close.
But seven minutes later, Morocco was destroyed when Sabir Bougrine hit home a bright shot from outside the penalty area that flew in the upper corner. It was his second goal of the tournament.
Morocco’s Marouane Louadni was shown a straight red card for the pollution of Vieux Cisse, but the decision was destroyed.
Closing with extra time with the sides that are still locked at 1-1, it was up to the penalty branches.
Senegal staggered when Captain Seyni n’Diaye hit the bar with his opening effort, while Morocco turned all five of his penalties to stamp his ticket for a place in Nairobi on Saturday.
Published on August 27, 2025
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