Michel Ramandimbisoa: Madagascar’s wall sets sights beyond his three TotalEnergies Man of the Match awards
For Michel Ramandimbisoa, the accolades are piling up—but the mission is far from complete. The Madagascar goalkeeper, affectionately known as Lalaina, has now scooped his third Player of the Match award at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.
Yet, the 39-year-old insists his eyes are firmly fixed on bigger goals.
“I’m happy with our journey, and I think it’s not by chance that I win this award for a third time. There was lots of work that went into this. I would like to thank my fans who have supported me through this journey,” he said after his standout display in the 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium on Saturday night.
The Backbone of Madagascar’s Dream
Ramandimbisoa was once again immense between the posts, producing seven crucial saves against Burkina Faso to keep Madagascar’s campaign on track. His tournament statistics underline his influence: 15 saves in the group stage, two clean sheets against the Central African Republic and Mauritania, and a commanding presence that has made him the heartbeat of the Barea defence.
But the veteran is quick to divert attention to the collective effort. “Our performance is down to work put together by the coach and my teammates,” he stressed.
Respect for the Opposition
Madagascar’s rise has not been without challenges. Burkina Faso, despite being edged out, left a strong impression on the keeper. “Burkina Faso is a strong team. They gave us a tough time on the field of play,” he acknowledged, underlining the level of competition at CHAN 2024.
A New Target in Sight
While his personal accolades have drawn attention, Ramandimbisoa is targeting a team achievement that would carry even greater significance. “The dream now is to help my team do better in the next round to give myself a chance of being the goalkeeper of the tournament,” the Elgeco Plus shot-stopper declared.
For Madagascar, advancing beyond the quarter-finals would represent another milestone. Having reached the last eight in their previous CHAN appearance, they are determined to go one better this time.
Quarter-Final Challenge Awaits
Madagascar have already secured their place in the knockouts for the second consecutive edition. Their next test will come against the winner of Group A—a heavyweight trio of Morocco, DR Congo, or hosts Kenya. Whichever opponent emerges, Ramandimbisoa knows the path ahead will demand even greater resilience.
As he looks forward, the veteran’s mix of humility and ambition captures Madagascar’s spirit at CHAN 2024: united, determined, and quietly daring to dream.