Madagascar break CAR resistance with late double
The match, played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on CAR's Independence Day, saw both sides battle for survival after failing to win their opening two fixtures.
With Burkina Faso facing Mauritania later in the evening, the result lifted Madagascar off the bottom of the group and kept their qualification hopes alive.
Tight first half, missed opportunities
The opening 45 minutes were high on effort but low on quality in front of goal.
CAR, chasing their first points of the tournament, created early half-chances through Ange Zoumara and Juvénal Pouguy, while Madagascar's Jean Ranaivoson forced a save from goalkeeper Mauril Abimala.
The game was played at a brisk tempo, but both sides were guilty of wastefulness in promising positions.
CAR, who had conceded inside 12 minutes in both of their previous games, avoided another early setback, while Madagascar's reshuffled side — featuring captain Dax back from suspension — struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
Madagascar made four substitutions at the break, with coach Romuald Rakotondrabe injecting attacking options in a bid to break the deadlock.
CAR threaten before Malagasy breakthrough
The changes gave Madagascar greater urgency, but it was CAR who came closest first in the second half. Ghislain Mounguide twice tested Michel Ramandimbisoa in the Madagascan goal, with one effort clawed away from the top corner.
Madagascar gradually gained control, forcing Abimala into saves from Toky Rakotondraibe and Fenohasina Razafimaro.
CAR's defensive discipline began to fray as fatigue set in, and the breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute.
A blocked effort from Mamisoa Rakotoson fell kindly to Rakotondraibe, who coolly swept the ball into the bottom left corner from close range to make it 1-0.
Late strike seals the win
CAR, urged on by the symbolic significance of playing on their national day, pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Miambaye Fourdeau went close with a header, but their attacking gamble left spaces at the back.
Madagascar punished them in stoppage time with a swift counter-attack.
Rakotondraibe turned provider, feeding Rafanomezantsoa, who slotted past Abimala to secure a 2-0 victory.
It was a clinical finish that ensured Madagascar ended their winless run in the tournament and condemned CAR to a third successive defeat without scoring. What it means for Group B
The result moves Madagascar into send place in Group B, leapfrogging CAR, with four points from three matches.
They will now watch closely as Burkina Faso take on Mauritania later tonight, knowing their hopes of advancing may rest on that outcome.
For CAR, the defeat confirmed their elimination, extending their run to three group-stage exits in three CHAN appearances.
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