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Toldo: The veteran goalkeeper who turned Madagascar into an African wall

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In a tournament dominated by footballing giants and regional heavyweights, Madagascar stands as Southern Africa's sole representative in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

Alone on the map, they carry the pride of a region and the resilience of an island nation accustomed to fighting against the odds.

At the centre of this story stands 39-year-old Ramandimbisoa Lalain’arijaka Michel—better known across Africa as 'Toldo'.

 

A Guardian Who Refused to Fall

Toldo has been nothing short of extraordinary. Playing every single minute of the group stage and the quarter final, the Elgeco Plus goalkeeper became the immovable object that opposition strikers simply could not ignore.

  • 480 minutes of football guarded with calm authority.

  • 15 saves that defined matches.

  • Two clean sheets that steadied Malagasy hopes.

  • Three consecutive TotalEnergies Man of the Match awards that crowned his dominance.

From start to finish, he was the living wall between Madagascar and elimination.

Defying the Odds, Match by Match

The defining moment came against Mauritania. Reduced to ten men, Madagascar looked vulnerable, but Toldo transformed pressure into a personal stage.

Save after save, he dragged his side to a goalless draw. The next encounter with the Central African Republic followed the same script—poise, bravery, and another best player accolade.

Against Burkina Faso, he raised the bar further with seven crucial saves, sealing a 2-1 win that punched their ticket to the quarter-finals.

Only hosts Tanzania managed to breach his guard, scoring twice. But even in defeat, his leadership and resilience stood out.

Then at the quarter-final stage on Friday, he produced some impressive saves during regulation time to prevent hosts Kenya from advancing before his heroics during the shootout secured their second successive place in the semis.

“For My People”

“I feel deeply honoured. Receiving this award three times is not by chance, but the result of hard work and the team’s collective effort. ,” Toldo said, his voice echoing the gratitude of a nation in an interview with CAFOnline.com

"I dedicate this recognition to my family and to all the Malagasy people."

The Club That Forged a Leader

Toldo’s story cannot be told without Elgeco Plus, Madagascar’s reigning champions.

Fresh from winning the Pureplay Football League and the Madagascar Cup, the club embodies the same spirit of continuity and resilience that Toldo displays on the field.

Together, they have carved a space of ambition for Malagasy football.

Pride of an Island, Spirit of a Continent

For Madagascar, success at CHAN is not unfamiliar. The Bareas reached the quarter-finals of CAN 2019 and earned a third-place finish at CHAN 2022.

But this year feels different. This time, they stand alone as COSAFA’s sole representative in the last four, carrying the hopes of a region.

“The most remarkable moment was, without a doubt, our qualification for the quarter-finals. It is a great source of pride for us and for Madagascar,” Toldo reflected.

History Written in Gloves

What makes this journey remarkable is not just the saves or the statistics, but the story of a 39-year-old goalkeeper refusing to let go of his dream.

For Madagascar, Toldo has been more than a player; he has been a symbol—a reminder that insularity does not mean isolation, but rather a platform for boldness.

“It was a historic performance. It shows that Madagascar is progressing and has a place among the top teams. We will give everything to go even further.”

As CHAN 2024 advances, one truth remains: at the heart of Madagascar’s journey is Toldo—the veteran who turned an island into a fortress, and solitude into glory.