CHAN 2024: Tanzania seal first quarters ticket courtesy of Clement Mzize's brace
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 09.08.25. | 22:19
Tanzania, who were coming on the back of two wins from their previous two matches in the tournament
Tanzania became the first team to punch a ticket to the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a 2-1 victory over Madagascar.
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The two teams locked horns on Saturday, 9 August, in the second match of the Benjamin Mkapa double header.
Tanzania, who were coming on the back of two wins from their previous two matches in the tournament, started the encounter on a high, showing intent of scoring from the first minute, backed by the vociferous home fans.
Madagascar, on the other hand, wasted a counterattack as Clement Mzize was there to perform defensive duties and recover the ball.
The first big chance of the match came in the ninth minute when danger man Feisal Salum got to the end of an excellent exchange of passes and unleashed a shot from outside the box, but Michel Ramandimbisoa in the Madagascar goal made a fingertip save for a Tanzania corner.
Tanzania almost took the lead from the corner, but Mzize saw his header hit the post before Abdul Suleiman hit the side netting in the 12th minute from a Tanzania counterattack.
Taifa Stars were not to be denied a minute later when Yahya Mudathir’s strike from a cross hit the post, but Mzize was there to slot home when the ball fell to him.
Madagascar tried to push for an equaliser immediately, but it was the Hemed Suleiman-coached side who were back at it again.
Feisal Salum delivered a well-struck free kick from the left side, and Mzize was there to connect with it and beat Michel at his near post in the 20th minute for his second of the game.
Madagascar increased their attacking tempo after the goal and eventually got a reward in the 34th minute when Mika Razafimahatama halved the deficit from a Lalaina Cliver assist.
The halftime whistle blew with Tanzania on a 2-1 lead.
Tanzania picked up from where they left off in the first half, but Mzize wasted a counterattack after Madagascar lost the ball in attack.
Madagascar had a chance to equalise in the 47th minute, but substitute Fenohasima Razafimaro headed a Toky Rokotondraibe pass over the bar.
Mzize was once again wasteful when he shot wide on the hour mark after he got to the end of a Tanzania half chance.
Shomari Kapombe also rose high to connect to a Feisal corner in the 69th minute, but his header went over.
Madagascar once again had an opportunity to have a go at goal from a Feisal Toto foul on the edge of the box, but the resulting free kick bore no fruit.
Tanzania, charged by the electric home support, were in the end able to manage a 2-1 victory that sealed a quarter-final slot after managing three wins in a row.
