Madagascar Coach Explains Reason For CHAN 2024 Overachievement Despite Final Loss

Madagascar head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe  has explained the reason behind his side’s recent African Nations Championships (CHAN) success following their final appearance at the 2024 edition held in East Africa.

Madagascar finished second in group B, before upsetting Kenya and Sudan in both the quarters and semi finals. In the final, they huffed and puffed, but could not find a way to upset Morocco, who beat them 3-2 in the final at Kasarani Stadium.

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Madagascar have also tended to overachieve in other continental competitions. In 2019, they reached the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Responding to a question by Pulse Sports during the final post-match press conference, Rakotondrabe credited sheer hard work for the island nation’s recent success at this level.

“We have been working hard over the last two months and since the local championships were completed,  we had to work on tactics and physical work, so it all boils down to hard work.”

Following the loss, the dressing room must naturally have felt distraught, but Rakotondrabe revealed what he told them to uplift their spirits again.

“I told them congratulations because we did a very good job. I told them it is a competition and I told them they would be back home on the 31st and not before. It is difficult to use.

He added that unity would remain their biggest strength going forward: “We need to maintain the same positive spirit. We leave like a family and that is where the strength is and we will continue working hard on several aspects.”

Though they fell just short of continental glory, Madagascar’s CHAN 2024 journey further confirmed their growing stature in African football. Rakotondrabe’s side may not have lifted the trophy, but they won admiration across the continent — and he believes their best is still to come.