Madagascar brace for tough match against Burkinabe

Burkina Faso fans cheer their team during a CHAN 2024 match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

As they get ready to seek a quarter-final qualification in 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), Madagascar are breathing fire!

Theirs is to overcome Burkina Faso with a bigger margin that should guarantee them a slot to the last eight by the end of today. 

Madagascar face Burkina Faso in their last Group B match at Amaan International Stadium in Zanzibar City this afternoon.

And the islanders have warned Burkina Faso to brace for a tough match.

The match was earlier scheduled for Benjamin Mkapa International Stadium before the eleventh-hour push to Zanzibar.

Madagascar head coach Rakotondrabe Roro said they cannot afford to lose it at a time when the final three points are crucial to their survival, which could push them ahead of Mauritania with a superior goal difference.

Mauritania are second in the group with seven points from four matches.

"This is a must-win, and we all know that. Therefore, our preparation is centred on the aspect of winning and celebrating later," he told reporters at Amaan International Stadium yesterday.

Rakotondrabe was supported by the team captain, Andriamirado Adohasina, who said their target is to qualify for the quarters.

"We have trained well, and the coach has made us know the task ahead of us, and we have assured him of our commitment to do so," Adohasina said.
Having already been eliminated, Burkina Faso head coach Issa Balbane said they'll use the match to prepare them for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Balbane struggled to explain the dismal performance of his team in the competition.

Burkina Faso are placed fourth in the group with three points from three matches. They lost to Tanzania (2-0) and Mauritania (1-0), respectively. Their only victory was a 4-2 win over whipping boys Central Africa Republic.

Tanzania (nine points), who have already qualified for the last eight, will play against Central Africa Republic in their last preliminary match today at Benjamin Mkapa International Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar authorities have tightened security for teams taking part in the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (Chan) here in Zanzibar City for the last two weeks.

Whether in training sessions or playing official matches, security organs are not taking security of visiting teams lightly.

"We are here to guarantee all our visitors, teams and their officials adequate security in their stay here at Zanzibar City during and after the tournament," said a police officer who didn't want to be named.