Madagascar head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe has called Senegal as the favourites to win to the crunch 2022 African Nations Championship semi-final in Algiers on Tuesday.
The Barea secured a 3-1 win over Mozambique in the quarter-finals to continue their fascinating run in their maiden CHAN outing where they have scored most goals in the competition.
The Teranga Lions meanwhile defeated neighbours Mauritania to make it to their second-ever CHAN semi-final. Despite labelling the West African giants as favourites, Rakotondrabe stated his team are fully prepared to stop their progress to the final.
“This is tournament life. We are not going to find excuses. I say it, we are ready to face the Senegalese here in Algiers,” Rakotondrabe said on the CAF website.
“We discussed it with the boys. We resorted to meditation sessions. With all the excitement, they are like children. We had to find more peace which is essential to our concentration for the next stage.
“Senegal is a strong and aggressive team. We do not have the same attributes. As a football fan, it is a treat for me to watch them play. We have observed and analysed them for a long time. Even though they are favourites for the semi-finals, we will put in place a strategy to thwart their plans.”
Rakotondrabe went on to acknowledge the support Madagascar have received during CHAN 2022 which he says is a reason for the team to keep on impressing.
“We have come a long way. Thanks to social networks, we receive messages from our families, friends and even people we did not know before this tournament,” he stated.
“It goes straight to our hearts. We have no right to flinch. Our story is really beautiful. We must not disappoint.”
Before Madagascar’s game kicks off, CHAN 2022 hosts Algeria will tackle Niger at Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran.
