Co-hosts Tanzania became the first nation to reach the 2024 CHAN quarter-finals following a 2-1 win over Madagascar on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Clement Mzize’s double fired the Taifa Stars into their first-ever quarter-final of the continental competition, but Madagascar’s Nantenaina Razafimahatana pulled one back to set up a tense finish. Tanzania, however, stood firm to claim another Group B victory in Dar es Salaam.
Spurred on by an electrified Dar es Salaam crowd, Tanzania burst out with the intent to wrap things up from the outset. In quick succession in the opening quarter, Feisal Salum tested goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa from distance before Mzize sent a header against the frame of the goalpost a minute later. The pressure did not end there as Abdul Sopu dragged wide from the edge of the area, and moments later, Mudathir Yahya rattled the goalpost again.
The breakthrough came when Mzize pounced on a loose ball inside the area, calmly guiding a left-footed strike down the centre to open the scoring in the 13th minute. Just seven minutes later, the young forward struck again, drifting unmarked to the far post to head home from close range after Feisal’s curling set-piece was only partially dealt with by the defence.
After Tanzania eased their early pressure in the opening 30 minutes, Madagascar grew into the game and began carving out opportunities. In the 34th minute, a teasing delivery from Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa unsettled the defence, allowing Razafimahatana to arrive unmarked and slot a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner. That goal ended Tanzania’s clean sheet run in the competition.
After the interval, it was all about Madagascar trying to get back into the game. Jean Ranaivoson fired his effort over, while Fenohasina Razafimaro headed a half-chance over the top. On the other hand, Tanzania goalkeeper Suleiman Ali did well with mostly high balls and hopeful strikes.
In the end, Tanzania held on for a win to maintain their perfect record in the competition. Three wins from three, five goals scored, just one conceded, and a maiden ticket to the CHAN knockout rounds secured with one game to spare.
