IFFHS CONTINENTAL NEWS - CHAN DAY 19
Picture : Madagascar's Goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa Alain Toldo was again the best player on the field for the third time in 5 games !
Madagascar, Morocco for semis, eliminating co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania.
The first two quarterfinals rightfully ordained the meritorious semifinslists in spite of strong vocal backing from the homecrowds in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, respectively.
The dramatic finish came from the Kasarani Stadium where Tanzania with a perfect first round run took on the bronze medalists of the last edition, Madagascar. Action, determination, fire power were all on bill with Tanzania making better initial moves to carry the day. But 39-year Malagasy keeper, Ramandimbisoa Lalain Toldo with three mvp awards in the tournament holding his own and keeping the Stars at bay. But his resolve will be melted in the 48th minute courtesy of a header by Gor Mahia's Alphonse Oteino from an indirect free kick. 1/0. Almost twenty minutes on Toky Herisaina kicked the ball against defender Lewis Bandi's hand for a penalty. Gilles Fenohasina sent keeper Byrne Omondi the wrong way for the equalizer on 69 minutes. Senegalese Referee Adalbert Diouf masterfully managed the game right upto 120 minutes before the shoot out. Kenya found the net three times through Mohammed Siraji, Daniel Sakari and Sylvester Owino. While the keeper parried the shot by Mike Evans Kibagwe his teammate Alphonse Oteino shot wide. Madagascar found the net four times courtesy of Nantenaina Elysee, Rafanomzantasoa Nomena, Gilles Fenohasina and Toky Rakotondraibe. The keeper blocked Toky Herisaina's shot. As Madagascar went through Kenya had a consolation in Gor Mahia's Alpha Chris Onyango's mvp award.
Although equally engaging, the huge turnout at the Benjamin Nkapa National Stadium could only cheer a goal. A highly spirited Tanzania team with no taste of defeat in the group stage were going to have it when it was least wished for. Numerous attempts at goal fell short of the requirements as well as Morocco endured same. But the deadlock will be broken in the 65th minute when certainly angered by the injury that gave him a bandaged head, Renaissance Berkane's Oussama Lamlaoui got his third goal in four games after succeeding to connect Youssef Belammari's assist. The 1/0 win is the seventh victory for them in eight matches between the two teams.
This Saturday, it will be Sudan vs Algeria, and Uganda vs Senegal for the next two quarterfinals.