Madagascar beat Mozambique 2-0 in the second leg of their 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers on Sunday evening.
Madagascar advanced on 4-2 aggregate,having been held in a 2-2 draw in the first leg match played last weekend by the Mozambicans.
Red hot Bella scored early in the first half before Njiva netted late in the injury time to hand coach Agust Raux his third victory over their rivals.
The hosts nearly opened the scoring with the first chance of the match in the seventh minute when Baggio collected a loose ball on the left and played a perfect through-ball for Dino, whose low left-footed went over the bar.
Mozambique has their chance falling to Reneilwe Letsholonyane just outside the penalty area, but his volleyed shot flew just over the crossbar.
A minute later Bela’s in-swinging cross from the right found Boura at the near-post, but his header also went above the target.
Raux’s side continued to look dangerous when pushing forward with Njiva and Johny getting involved, but in the 21st minute Dino curled his shot wide of the post after receiving another pass from Njiva.
Then the visitors almost opened the dcoring against the run of play four minutes later when their lone striker was given enough space to unleash a powerful shot from range, but his effort went inches over the crossbar.
Mozambique put that scare behind them and continued to put pressure on the rivals but Ando failed to get his header on target in the 31st minute, while Njiva’s free-kick dipped over the crossbar eight minutes later.
Bala finally managed to get his name on the score sheet in the 62st minute when he nodded home from a Dax free-kick for the opener.
The home side then came close to doubling the lead three minutes into the second half when Boura broke through on the right before playing a low shot which was cleared by Baggio, who was under pressure, but the Mozambican was relieved to see the ball going over the crossbar.
The second goal did finally arrive in the 90th minute from a great run from another substitute in Johny who then played the ball across for Njiva to fire home from the edge of the box following a dummy move from Boura, 2-0.
The Mozambique were handed one last scoring chance in the third minute of added time when goalkeeper Toby was robbed of possession, but his blushes were saved by defender who blocked goalbound shot.
Madagascar XI: Leda – Toby, Johny, Ando, Mario – Baggio, Dax, Boura, Dino, Njiva – Bela
