Latest news with #CHAN)Pamoja2024
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
A Tale of Two CHAN Journeys: Madagascar's dream stays alive, CAR face harsh lessons
The Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, delivered two stories on Wednesday night — one of hope, the other of reflection. Madagascar, led by the ever-strategic Romuald Rakotondrabe, claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR), keeping their quarter-final hopes alive at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024. For Rakotondrabe's men, it was more than just three points — it was the first win of their campaign, a reward for tactical courage and mental resilience. For Sebastien Ngato and his CAR squad, it was the end of their CHAN journey, but not without valuable lessons to carry forward. A Victory Built on Desire and Resilience After a tense start, Madagascar had to dig deep to find their rhythm. Rakotondrabe admitted the mental battle was just as tough as the physical one. "It was difficult for us psychologically at the beginning of the match. We didn't get off to a good start, and fortunately we scored two goals in the final moments of the match. This was due to our desire to win, and we did everything we could to achieve that," Rakotondrabe said "Those goals not only brought relief but also underscored the team's hunger. This was no casual win — it was a statement." Why These Three Points Matter More Than Most For Madagascar, the victory is a lifeline. "The victory is very important and the three points are precious. This represents our first victory in this tournament, and these points will qualify us for the quarter-finals. "We have a difficult match ahead of us against Burkina Faso in the last round, and we will have to deal with it according to its difficulty." The coach's words reveal both confidence and caution — understanding that their destiny may still hinge on the results of other matches, but knowing that momentum is now on their side. Tactical Tweaks That Changed the Game Rakotondrabe also offered insight into the adjustments that shifted the match in their favour. "At the beginning of the match, we started with a 3-5-2 tactical plan, and tried to play on the wings, but we decided to change our style and move to a 4-4-2 plan in the second half," he said. "Honestly, we tried to play quickly throughout the match. In the midfield, I noticed that we were weak, and if we improve things at the level of the field, we will be able to succeed and achieve victory. The first tactical method did not work for us, so we changed it, and after that we put four players in the midfield." It was a shift that brought stability, balance, and ultimately, goals. Eyes Firmly on the Quarter-Final Prize Despite the unpredictable nature of group-stage football, Rakotondrabe remains upbeat about his side's prospects. "Yes, we have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. We will wait for the outcome of the match between Burkina Faso and Mauritania. The points from the last match are important for us to continue in the tournament. "We have four points, which motivates us before the final match. Psychologically, we will be prepared for the final match." The message is clear: this team believes they belong among CHAN's final eight. CAR's Struggles in Front of Goal On the other side of the pitch, Sebastien Ngato was left to rue missed chances. "The first half was average. There were many opportunities that we couldn't convert into goals. In the second half, after we made changes, especially in attack, there were many missed opportunities, which put pressure on the attack. "Ultimately, the match turned in favor of our opponents." His side's inability to find the net proved costly, with elimination confirmed before the final whistle of their group campaign. Lessons for the Future Ngato, however, insists that this setback is part of the team's growth. "The players didn't perform well in the second half of the match. They didn't do what was required of them on the field," he said "With the tension and difficulty of the match, we failed. This is the school of life, and we will learn from this how to prepare for the upcoming events." He also acknowledged the role of inexperience in the defeat. "We made substitutions and focused on attack because the defense was working well. We could have scored after many chances, but there were mistakes that were probably due to the presence of young players in our team. "We made a difference through our substitutions in the match. The loss came and we learned lessons in the midfield, which I don't know what happened with. We will examine where the faults were and continue working." Two Contrasting Journeys, One Shared Passion For Madagascar, this match will be remembered as the night their CHAN campaign truly began. For CAR, it will serve as a reference point in their journey to becoming a stronger force in African football. Both sides leave Dar es Salaam with different emotions, but united by the same lesson — at CHAN, every moment counts, and every match can redefine a team's story.
CAF
09-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Meet the CHAN history maker: Bassam's fourth appearance in Africa's homegrown showpiece
Moulay Ahmed Khalil 'Bassam' is not just leading Mauritania at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024 — he is rewriting the tournament's history books. Making his fourth appearance in just eight editions, the 36-year-old forward has featured in half of all CHAN tournaments ever staged, a feat no other Mauritanian player can claim. For more than a decade, Bassam has been the face of the Al-Murabitoun on the continental stage, carrying the hopes of a nation through triumphs and heartbreak. For Bassam, this year's tournament is personal. It marks his fourth CHAN finals, and despite Mauritania's stuttering start, he insists belief is intact ahead of a must-win clash against the Central African Republic. Now, as he steps into what could be his final CHAN campaign, Bassam is determined to ensure his legacy is not only about appearances, but about inspiring Mauritania to reach new heights. 'African teams are proving their global standing,' he says — and for him, that journey begins with keeping Mauritania's tournament dreams alive. In a candid conversation with he reflected on his side's setbacks, praised the organisation of the current edition, and delivered a promise to Mauritanian fans: the fight is far from over. In your last match, you suffered a heavy defeat against the host country, Tanzania, in the final minutes. What do you have to say? Moulay Ahmed Bassam: It was indeed a tough loss, as we conceded in the final minutes despite the players giving their all. It was a difficult match against the host nation, in front of their fans, so it was physically intense. This is football — we lost, but the tournament is not over yet. Mauritania have impressed in spells during the current edition of CHAN 2024 but are still without a win. Why do you think this is happening? Indeed, the first two matches were good, but in tournaments the most important thing is winning, because that is what qualifies you. Without wins, you cannot progress. Most of our team are young, and many are making their first appearance at the tournament. This lack of experience may have played a part, but they still performed well. We hope this will translate into victories in the remaining matches. You have one point before your third and difficult match against the Central African Republic. Mistakes are not allowed. How do you see the match from your side? Yes, we currently have one point, and the next match will be difficult, but our only goal is to win — there is no alternative. A draw might be considered a loss. I believe the players understand this and will give their all, because for us it is a life-or-death match. God willing, we will win it. This is your fourth CHAN finals. How do you view this edition compared to previous ones? Yes, this is my fourth participation, and I truly believe African football has developed a lot. Each tournament is tougher than the last. In this edition, I have seen excellent stadiums, good hotels, and generally strong organisation. What is your view on African football in general and its development? African football has developed significantly, not only on the continent but also globally. African teams are proving their standing on the world stage and confirming the value of talent in Africa. Do you have a final message for Mauritanian fans? We know the Mauritanian public is thirsty for victory and disappointed with our results so far in CHAN 2024. But we must also remember we are not out of the tournament yet. We still have matches to play, the most important being the next one, because there is no alternative but to win. We promise our fans we will work hard to achieve that, God willing. We will give everything in the final group match to secure qualification. Above all, we want to present a good image of Mauritanian football in this tournament.
