Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Andriamirado Aro Hasina ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana, has recaptured his mojo with Madagascar at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Dax, who had a flirtation with the DStv Premiership in 2018, has been behind Madagascar’s CHAN semifinal qualification.
The former Black Leopards midfielder Dax has featured in all the matches Madagascar’s Barea have played.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs star, Dax, set the tone right from the first CHAN game. The 31-year-old launched attacks for Madagascar as they stunned Ghana 2-1 in a Group C opener.
The bow-legged midfielder also pulled midfield strings for Barea when they saw off Sudan 3-0. The Islanders went on to eliminate Mozambique 3-1 on Saturday and reach the last four.
HOW DAX’S INFLUENCE HAS BEEN EVIDENT AT CHAN
The influence of Dax on Barea’s play was evident on Saturday. Dax created Madagascar’s third goal, which Marcio Ravelomanantsoa scored.
Ravelomanantsoa dashed hopes of the Mambas’ comeback by scoring with three minutes to full-time.
Earlier, Solomampionona Razafindranaivo scored in the 18th minute to put Madagascar in motion to the victory. Eventually, Jean Yves Razafindrakoto doubled the advantage with a 67th-minute strike.
Isac Cavarlho grabbed Mozambique’s Mambas’ consolation four minutes into added time. After the final whistle, there was no doubt that Dax was part of the reason for Madagascar’s win.
WHY DAX’S FLIRTATION WITH KAIZER CHIEFS DIDN’T WORK
Chiefs signed Dax on a free transfer in 2018. The player had claimed that his contract with Fosa Juniors back home had then expired.
However, Juniors claimed Dax still had a running contract with them. FIFA eventually found Chiefs in the wrong for buying the Malagasy international illegally.
The world football governing body banned Chiefs from signing players for two transfer windows.
FIFA also slapped Dax with a four-month ban for being an accomplice in the flouting of the transfer procedures.
Dax was punished while then at Black Leopards after having left Chiefs. He eventually returned home to start afresh at Juniors.
Dax is expected to be the islanders’ midfield conductor when they take on fancied Senegal on January 31 2023, in the semi-final match.
Dax is among three former DStv Premiership players involved in CHAN. The others are Hugo Marques of Angola, Uganda’s Moses Waiswa and Jean-Marc Masuku of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Angola, Uganda and the DRC have since been eliminated from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Madagascar face Senegal at Nelson Mandela Stadium, which is named after the South African icon.
The other semifinal meeting will involve Algeria and Niger at Miloud Hadefi Stadium.
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