Andriamirado lifts lid on Madagascar's trademark goal celebration
Andriamirado Aro Hasina has revealed the reason behind what has become Madagascar's trademark goal celebrations at the ongoing TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) and other competitions.
Hasina is his country's lone survivor from the 2019 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) side that saw the Barea defeating DR Congo in the round of 16.
Madagascar's 2019 AFCON run was emphatically stopped in the quarter-final, as Tunisia deservedly advanced to a semi-final showdown with Senegal after a 3-0 win.
The 31-year-old has played every single game leading to Madagascar's trailblazing CHAN semi-final run which was stopped by the home-based Teranga Lions on Tuesday.
He was voted TotalEnergies Man of the Match in Madagascar's 3-1 quarter-final win against Mozambique with an assist to his name.
After every goal scored, fans were thrilled wth this particular celebration which is now popular on the continent, and Hasina took time off to explain wny.
"The celebration started after our decisive AFCON qualifiers game in 2018. It meant the Berea with its horns. And it can destroy anything on its path. The celebration is a call for Malagasy people to unite with the Barae because we represent our country here," the midfeilder said before adding on the adage "Alefa Barea" which translates to "Go Barea," a war cry to unite the people.
Hasina has always been on the books of the Malagasy senior men's national team from 2017 when he made his debut in the AFCON qualifying first round against Sao Tome and Principe.
However, the CHAN is a different experience all together for the midfielder who is playing only his first competition reserved for home-based players.
"I am happy to have been called for the first time in the squad. All my efforts and work have been rewarded," Hasina opined before recounting his best days with Madagascar's senior men's national team;
"My favorite moment was at the 2019 AFCON when Madagascar beat DR Congo in the round of 16."
Madagascar has sneaked into the conversation of current football powerhouses having played the quarter-final and semi-final of two major events on the continent, in the last five years.
The gargantuan feat has been achieved with the presence and expertise of the Fosa Juniors midfielder Hasina.
Madagascar will play against Niger on Friday, at the Miloud Hadefi stadium for bronze in the seventh edition of the tournament for players based in their country.
A third place at CHAN 2022 will still be historic for coach Romuald Rakotondrabe and his Malagasy side.
Andriamirado hopes he can continue after the CHAN and eventually help his country to the next AFCON that will be staged in Cote D'Ivoire next January-February.