Madagascar ace Andriamirado hails team-mates for his award

Andriamirado Aro Hassina has dedicated his TotalEnergies Man of the Match award to his team-mates for their contribution in helping him to clinch the gong on Saturday.

Hassina was instrumental after helping Madagascar to win their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN ) quarter-final clash Mozambique in Constantine.

The midfielder, who plays his club football for Fosa Juniors FC, credited the rest of the team for their display as they defeated their neighbours Mozambique 3-1 in the last eight game.

"I am very happy about the game today. It was not easy. It was very important for us to get the win. Everyone won today. This 'man of the match' trophy is for the whole team, my family and Malagasy football.

"The team is collective. I give credit to the team and dedicate this to them," Hasina ended.

Aged 31, Hassina was fielded as one of the more experienced players for a relatively young Malagasy side, and he lived up to expectation with a magical display.

The man at his prime dished out an assist for his side's second goal which came at such a delicate moment, at the 67th minute when Mozambique was just trying to build momentum.

Debutants Madagascar are writing their own story in the CHAN competition and coach Romuald Felix Roro's charges are reaching for the stars.

Up next for Madagascar is a date in the semi-final slot against Pape Thiaw's Teranga Lions on Tuesday, at the Nelson Mandela stadium, 1900 GMT.