2015 Caf Beach Soccer Championship - Madagascar kings of Africa |20 April 2015
On a historic night at the National Beach Soccer Stadium at Roche Caïman yesterday, Madagascar were crowned the kings of African beach soccer after beating 2013 champions and early favourites Senegal in an exciting penalty shootout.
In front of a large of group of vocal Malagasy supporters, Madagascar’s Flavien Razafimahatratra slotted home the winning penalty to send their fans into raptures and give Madagascar their first ever Confederation of African Football (Caf) beach soccer crown.
It was the Malagasies who opened the scoring in the first period of play with substitute Flavien scoring with practically his first touch to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The match was played at a frantic pace with both sides getting a number of efforts on target, but it was Senegal’s captain Ngalla Sylla who stunned Madagascar goalkeeper Jhorialy Rafalimanana with a superb shot from a long way out to level matters at 1-1.
The score remained level all the way till the end of normal time and with the two sides failing to score in the extra three minutes, a penalty shootout was needed to decide the winners.
Senegal’s Babacar Fall scored his effort with Madagascar responding through Toki’s shot. When Senegal’s Vieux Ibra Thioune’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Rafalimanana, it looked like Madagascar were on course to win the shootout, but captain Tiana blazed his effort over the bar. Senegal failed to capitalise though as Pape Kamara also saw his effort saved and up stepped Flavien and he made no mistake, giving his country the crown as they became African champions for the first time.
It has been two fantastic weeks for the Malagasy beach soccer team. Coached by Claude Barabé, the Barea will be headed to their first Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal in July. Senegal will accompany them.
“I have no words to explain my emotions right now. It might take me a few days to realise that this is not a dream,” said coach Barabé after the match.
“I think this team have immense qualities and these players have given their all during this competition and for us to win it shows that Indian Ocean nations can also win the big trophies,” he added.
Madagascar finished the tournament as the only unbeaten side as they won all their group games and defeated Ivory Coast 3-2 on penalties after the full time score ended 4-4 in the semifinals. Senegal meanwhile reached the final after beating Nigeria 4-3 in extra-time.
“For me I believe the best team won and I salute the Madagascar team as they have been very good,” said Senegal coach Ibrahima Ndiaye.
The competition’s bronze medal was won by Nigeria who defeated Ivory Coast 9-1 in the third place playoff match.
Meanwhile, Seychelles ended the competition as the only winless side after they lost their last game 1-12 to Ghana in the seventh place play-off match. Hansel Coeur de Lion was Seychelles’ scorer.
This is Madagascar’s second title after claiming the inaugural Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) Beach Soccer Championship crown on Saturday April 12.
Hall of fame
Most Valuable Player: Tokinianaina Randriamampandry (Toki) of Madagascar
Best Scorer: Alexander Adjei of Ghana with 15 goals
Best goalkeeper: Jhorialy Rafalimanana of Madagascar
Final standings
Winners: Madagascar
Runners-up: Senegal
Third: Nigeria
Fourth: Côte d’Ivoire
Fifth: Morocco
Sixth: Egypt
Seventh: Ghana
Eighth: Seychelles
S. N.