Table of Contents
- Kenya vs Madagascar quarter finals match set for Friday, August 22, has revved up the anticipation among Harambee Stars fans
- The Stars finished with a seven-point lead in Group A after thrashing Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia. Kenya only drew in one match with Angola
- Sitting at 115th on the FIFA ranking, only 6 places below Kenya (109), Madagascar comes with a fresh threat
Kenya vs Madagascar quarter finals match set for Friday, August 22 has revved up the anticipation among Harambee Stars fans.
The Stars finished with a seven-point lead in Group A after thrashing Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia. Kenya only drew in one match with Angola.
Sunday’s match against Zambia booked the Kenyan squad a ticket to the Round of 16, where they will meet Madagascar.
How ready are both teams? Does Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy have new tactical plans for his team ahead of the game?
Kenya Vs Madagascar Quarter Finals Showdown
Madagascar poses a fresh challenge for Kenya in its run to win the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) title. On Friday, August 22, Kenya vs Madagascar quarter final will kick off at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium.
Harambee Stars . Photo/ Nairobi Leo.
McCarthy’s football tactics have been felt since the start of CHAN24 on August 2. Harambee Stars were the underdogs.
There wasn’t a lot of hope for this team as it entered this continental tournament. However, McCarthy surprised everyone, especially in the Kenya vs Morocco match.
The Stars beat the Atlas Lions 1-0 to earn three points and extended their unbeaten run to Zambia. However, Kenya stares at a fresh challenge with Madagascar in the quarter-finals.
This isn’t the first meeting between Kenya and Madagascar. They met once before, back in June 2019 during a friendly match.
Kenya won the match 1–0 thanks to a coolly taken penalty by Victor Wanyama in the 64th minute. Now, with everything on the line, Kenya has a chance to extend that winning record, or watch Madagascar flip the script.
Is Madagascar a Strong Team?
Madagascar CHAN 2024 squad. The team finished second in Group B. Photo/Foot Africa
Sitting at 115th on the FIFA ranking, only 6 places below Kenya (109), Madagascar comes with a fresh threat. Although its group-stage performance was hardly smooth, Kenya vs Madagascar quarter finals promise to be one for the books.
Madagascar drew with Mauritania and lost to Tanzania. Their Group B match against Tanzania saw them play a 10-man squad.
Their campaign hung by a thread, but they recovered in their meeting with the Central African Republic. They won 2-0 and emerged victorious against Burkina Faso later (2-1) to qualify for the quarter-finals.
This result placed the Barea second in Group B, behind the host, Tanzania, who finished the group stage undefeated. Madagascar’s coach Romuald “Rovo” Rakotondrabe and his tactical discipline have proven to be strengths of Madagascar.
The team gained a historical bronze medal in 2022 with a 1 0 win against Niger. Rovo has an attacking 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 system accompanied by speed and intense pressing.
Notable players to watch out for in the Kenya vs Madagascar quarter finals are forward John Christiano Razafimanana and midfielder Nomena Lalaina. Razafimanana is Barea’s goal-scoring machine.
He moves fast, while Lalaina carries the team shoulder high. He has scored twice for Madagascar in CHAN24. Veteran goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa, affectionately nicknamed“Toldo” will be in the game.
Toldo is a shot-stopper who has saved the team several times while in the hands of stronger opponents. Further, Madagascar has young talents such as 22-year-old Andy Rakotondrajoa, whose speed and skills are unmatched.
When paired with 39-year-old Ramandimbisoa, the duo is unpredictable, something McCarthy should be worried about.
The much-awaited Kenya vs Zambia clash on Sunday comes with major developments as CHAN 2024 takes shape. Photo/FKF
