Madagascar: Profile of Harambee Stars’ quarterfinal opponent
By Luke Oluoch, August 20, 2025Kenya’s Harambee Stars’ fairy tale run in the ongoing African Nations Championship is set to face its fiercest test yet as the competition enters the knockout stages this Friday, August 22, 2025.
Benni McCarthy’s charges’ unbeaten status will be on the line in a winner-takes-all tie against Madagascar, who emerged as the runners-up from Group B.
In the group stages, Madagascar’s national team, the Barea, had a modest run, finishing as runners-up in their group.
Heading into the tie, the Islanders boast a better record than Kenya, having featured in two editions of the biennial tournament.
The team seeks to build on momentum gained from their 2022 exploits, where they triumphed against odds to finish as semifinalists in only their debut of the continental games.
2024 form
Under coach Romuald Rakotondrabe, the Barea have carried the same form to the current edition hosted by the three East African nations.
The team secured two wins and a draw, accumulating seven points to seal qualification to the knockout phases.
Their victories came against the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso, before a draw against Mauritania, adding a further point to their tally.
Their only defeat in the group came at the hands of hosts Tanzania, with a 2-1 loss.
Key players and strengths
The Barea’s strength lies in their team-focused approach, with a solid defensive unit led by goalkeeper and captain Michel Ramandimbisoa, nicknamed ‘Toldo’ after the legendary Italian shot-stopper.
Ramandimbisoa has been a standout performer with two man-of-the-match recognitions, while other key players include lead attacker Fenohasina Razafimanana, who scored a goal and provided an assist in the team’s win over Burkina Faso.
Under Romuald’s guidance, the Barea have thrived on a low block, making them a hard nut to crack for opponents.
Their tactical approach, combined with their ability to launch effective counterattacks, has been a key factor in their success.
According to football expert and Gambian coach Mattar M’Boge, Rakotondrabe is a tactically astute coach who has built a strong team.
M’Boge praised the Barea’s approach in the 2022 CHAN, saying, “Roro is a tactical astute coach. He has built a strong team. In the last CHAN, their strength was a middle-low block and counterattacking. When they pressed, they did it as a unit and caused many problems for teams. “It’s a blueprint,” he will say to himself. “It worked for the previous tournament; let’s see if it can work again.”
Kenya’s test in the quarterfinals will see the Barea bidding to build on their growth in the continental competition and seeking improvement after their semifinal appearance in 2022, where they lost to eventual champions Senegal.