Kenya face off Madagascar in highly anticipated quarter final clash at the 2024 CHAN hosted at Moi International Sports Centre , Kasarani.Will Madagascar have enough quality to stop the high flying harambee stars in their home tuff ? Join us as we dive into excitement ,key players ,Exepected lineups,where to watch,chan fixtures Prediction and form guide
Will Madagascar have enough quality to stop the high flying Harambee Stars ? Join us as we dive into excitement , key players, and what’s at stake in this epic showdown.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, Kenya’s Harambee Stars will face off against Madagascar’s Barea in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash at the 2024 African Nations Championship(CHAN), hosted at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi.
This high-stakes encounter pits an unbeaten Kenyan side, led by the tactical briliiance of coach Benni McCarthy, against a resilient Malagasy team known for pulling off surprises on the continental stage. With Kenya riding the wave of historic wins thanks to electrifying home support and President Ruto’s millions cash motivation while Madagascar coming off a hard-fought group stage, this match up promises thrilling football and battle for a coveted semifinal spot.
Table of contents [Show]
Kenya topped the famous ‘group of death’ with 10 points winning 3 games and drawing 1 match. Kenya started the competition with 1-0 win over DR Congo. Matchday 2 saw Kenya gain a single point after hardly fought 1-1 draw against Angola after going down to 10 men.
10-man Kenya then stunned two-time champions Morocco 1-0 with Ryan Ogam’s decisive strike in the 42nd minute .Final group stage match saw Kenya beat Zambia 1-0 thanks to Ryan Ogam’s strike in the 75th minute after a brilliant assist from Muchiri to continues Kenyas historic debut and unbeaten run.
WDWW
GROUP A STANDINGS
| POS | Team | gp | w | d | l | gf | ga | GD | pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| 2 | Morocco | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 3 | Congo DR | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Angola | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
| 5 | Zambia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
Madagascar on the other hand were in group B with their matches hosted in Tanzania. Madagascar were held to a goalless draw (0-0) by Mauritania in their opening match.
2nd game they lost 2-1 to Tanzania with brace from Clement Mzize on 13th and 20th minute respectively.)
Madagascar 2-0 Central African Republic (Rakotondraibe 84’;Rafanomezantsoa 90+4’)
Final match Madagascar beat Burkina Faso 2-1 (Razafimaro 7;Sangare 25;Rafanomezantsoa 58’P)
DLWW
GROUP B STANDINGS
| Pos | TEAM | GP | w | d | l | gf | ga | gd | pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanzania | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | Madagascar | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 3 | Mauritania | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 4 | Burkina Faso | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
| 5 | Central African Republic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 |
Head coach Beny mcCarthy expressed pride in his team’s performance highlighting their character,discipline ,and hunger. “I am very happy that the boys have delivered and picked three wins and one draw in the group stage. This has been as aresult of hardwork and we must remain focused ahead of the quarter final stage,”said the South African tactician.
McCarthy then sent a message to neighbour rivals Tanzania who will fac Morocco in their quarter final match.
Tanzania ,will get their wish, they will experience what we experienced.The group of death ,now Morocco is heading to Tanzania ,he said with a sheepish smile .
Ryan Ogam (Forward, Tusker FC): The talisman of the squad, Ogam has been pivotal in Kenya’s campaign, scoring crucial goals, including the match-winner against Zambia (1-0) in the group stage and another in the 1-0 upset over Morocco. His ability to turn and strike in clutch moments makes him a major threat.
Austine Odhiambo (Attacking Midfielder,Gor Mahia): A dynamic playmaker, Odhiambo returned to the starting XI against Zambia after missing the Morocco game. His vision and ability to unlock defenses have been lauded, with coach Benni McCarthy crediting his tactical contributions for the group stage success.
Abud Omar (Defender, Captain): The rock at the back, Omar’s calm and defiant leadership has anchored Kenya’s defense. He started against Zambia after coming off the bench against Morocco, proving his versatility and importance in maintaining a solid backline.
John Christiano Razafimanana (Forward): Known for his pace and clinical finishing, Razafimanana was a standout in the qualifiers, tormenting defenses like Eswatini’s. His ability to exploit gaps will challenge Kenya’s backline.
Nomena Lalaina (Midfielder): A key figure in Madagascar’s midfield, La Lalaina has already scored twice in the tournament. His creativity and goal-scoring threat from midfield make him a central cog in their attacking setup.
Michel Ramandimbisoa (Goalkeeper): Nicknamed after Italian legend Francesco Totti, the 39-year-old veteran has been a standout, earning back-to-back man-of-the-match awards in the group stage. His experience and shot-stopping ability will be crucial against Kenya’s attacking firepower.
Farouk Shikhalo (Gk), Abud Omar (Captain, LB), Michael Kibwage (CB), Sylvester Owino (CB), Esambe Bandi(RB) , Chris Onyango (DM), Suleiman Okwaro(DM), Austine Odhiambo (AM), Ben Stanley Omondi, Otieno Omondi, Ryan Ogam – The focal point of Kenya’s attack, expected to lead the line after his goal-scoring heroics.
Coach Benni McCarthy has rotated his squad frequently, as seen with Omar and Shikhalo’s inclusions against Zambia. Expect a similar approach to keep players fresh, with Muchiri potentially starting after his impactful substitute role.
Kenya: No major injuries
Madagascar: No specific injury concerns have been highlighted in recent reports.
We see a tight 2-1 win for the hosts who are in high momentum and full of belief with home advantage and an unbeaten run.Ryan Ogam’s clinical finishing and Austine Odhiambo’s creativity will be crucial against Madagascar’s disciplined defense, led by goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa. Madagascar, however, is no pushover, with John Christiano Razafimanana’s pace and Nomena Lalaina’s midfield dynamism posing threats on the counter. The tactical battle between Benni McCarthy’s structured approach and Romuald Rakotondrabe’s fluid system will be fascinating. With no major injuries on either side, expect both teams to field strong lineups, setting the stage for a tightly contested match.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling quarterfinal clash..
Kenya vs Madagascar(Nairobi,Kenya)
Tanzania vs Morocco 20:00(Dar es Salaam,Tanzania)
Sudan vs Algeria 17:00(Zanzibar City, Tanzania)
Uganda vs Senegal 20:00(Kampala, Uganda)
1.SuperSports
2.beIN Sports
3.KBC
Xavi Simons, with his blend of creativity, versatility, and dynamism, could be a transformative figure in addressing Chelsea’s persistent struggles against low block defenses ,those compact, deep-sitting setups that stifle attacking play by denying space.
Discover how Cunha and Mbeumo could ignite Man Utd's attack! Dive into their tactical fit, defensive work rate, and potent goal contributions under Amorim. What can Man Utd fans expect from Cunha & Mbeumo? Get a deep analysis of their dynamic play, goal threat, and how they'll transform Old Trafford's attack.
Aldrine Kibet's move to Celta Vigo Fortuna is a huge moment for Kenyan football. Learn about the details of his four-year deal, financials involved and what it means for the talented midfielder's future in Europe.
