Michel Ramandimbisoa: 3 Things to Know About Madagascar Keeper Who Became CHAN 2024 Sensation

The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) concluded yesterday in Nairobi, but one name will linger in the memory of African football fans for years to come—Michel Ramandimbisoa.

The 39-year-old Madagascar goalkeeper, nicknamed “Toldo” after Italian great Francesco Toldo, turned into the heartbeat of the Barea’s historic run to the final.

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Pulse Sports looks at three things to know about the man of the moment.

Before this year, Michel Ramandimbisoa had never featured prominently for Madagascar at a major continental competition.

He missed out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the 2022 CHAN as Madagascar reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

One reason was eligibility: CHAN only allows players who compete in their domestic leagues, and Ramandimbisoa was plying his trade in Seychelles for Saint Louis Suns United.

But 2024 changed everything. Returning home to sign with ASSM Elgeco Plus in January, he finally became eligible. What followed was a series of heroic performances that left fans across Africa marveling.

He saved 25 of the 29 shots he faced throughout the tournament, collecting multiple Man of the Match awards, including against Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, and Mauritania.

In the quarter-final against Kenya, he was the difference-maker once again, producing four crucial stops and saving Mike Kibwage’s penalty to send Madagascar into the semis.

His consistency, reflexes, and leadership between the sticks cemented his place as the standout goalkeeper of the competition.

At 39, Ramandimbisoa’s performances surprised many who wondered how he could still dive, leap, and command his box with such sharpness. For him, the answer is simple: discipline.

He credits his longevity to strict fitness routines, good nutrition, and an unwavering commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“I am not thinking of retiring right now,” he said after the semi-final win over Sudan. “I still feel I can go on until I am 45 like Buffon did. Age is nothing but a number.”

His idols—Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Brazil’s Ederson—inspire him not only with their reflexes but also with their ball-playing ability and leadership.

That influence showed throughout CHAN as he marshaled a defense that played with heart, even when Madagascar was reduced to 10 men for 50 minutes in their semi-final clash.

Ramandimbisoa’s path to CHAN glory has been anything but ordinary. He spent nine years in Seychelles, where he was crowned the league’s best goalkeeper in 2023-24 and won a league title with Saint Louis Suns United.

His success there kept him sharp, but ironically prevented him from representing Madagascar in CHAN due to the tournament’s eligibility rules.

Since returning home, he has quickly become the backbone of the Barea squad, even helping them reach the semi-finals of the 2024 Cosafa Cup.