CHAN 2022: Rakotondrabe: "We can beat Senegal"
With Madagascar through to the CHAN 2022 semi-finals, Romuald Rakotondrabe now hopes to go all the way and win the title.
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What was the key to this game, allowing your team to get on top?
Romuald Rakotondrabe: We managed to score the first goal in the first half, and that helped a lot. At half-time I tried to find the right words to motivate my players, to make them understand that we could win and that we had to keep going. Mozambique were a good side and didn't make it easy for us. But we kept playing and we scored that 2nd goal. That's what made the difference in this game. We didn't have many chances. We must have had three or four, but the lads were clinical.
In the group stage, you said you didn't want to look too far ahead. Have things changed now?
At the start of a tournament you can't tell yourself you're going to reach the final. Even when we beat Ghana, I said you can only judge one game and not look any further ahead. But now we're in the semi-finals... I hope the players will have plenty of ambition and hunger to go and win the title, even though it won't be easy because our next match is against Senegal. But we'll work and keep working to get there.
Read more on this topic: CHAN 2022: Madagascar and Niger join Senegal and Algeria in the semi-finals
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Romuald Rakotondrabe: At this stage of the competition, anyone can go all the way. I have ambition and I respect Senegal. It will be 50-50. Both teams will want to reach the final and it will have to be earned. There will be a chance to reach the final. We'll be motivated to make our country and our people proud, who have been behind us from the start.
You are now stating your ambition. In the semi-finals you will face Senegal. How do you see this match-up and what do you think of this opponent?
Romuald Rakotondrabe: When you're in the semi-finals, there are no easy teams. Senegal are a great nation of African football. We saw the senior side that won the last AFCON. Once again, we won't be favourites against Senegal. But, once again, with the way we've played in our last three matches, we can hope for something. I think we can beat Senegal, even if it won't be easy. I have a lot of respect for Senegal, they're a great team.
Three matches in Constantine and three goals each time. The crowd once again backed your players enormously. Your next match will be in Algiers. In a way, you're leaving your second home to play the semi-final?
Oh yes! From the start we've felt at home. I want to thank the Constantine crowd. They've been fantastic. They supported us throughout the match today and I thank them again. Even though it obviously won't be the same, I hope the Algiers crowd will back us the way we've been backed from the start.