Literally and metaphorically, 39-year-old goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa has been Madagascar’s last line of defence in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

When Madagascar step onto the pitch on Friday evening to face the Kenyan home team, the Harambee Stars, in the first quarter-final match, veteran goalie Ramandimbisoa is almost certain to be in the starting line-up.

Thanks to his man-of-the-match performances in the Group B encounters at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Ramandimbisoa is sure to attract the attention of the Harambee Stars forwards in the highly anticipated clash, which will take place at the 48,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) in Kasarani, Nairobi, at 5 pm East African Time.

And it is not difficult to see why.

At 39, Ramandimbisoa, nicknamed “Toldo” has continued to defy age, playing a pivotal role in Madagascar’s progress to the quarter-final stage of the tournament.  Ramandimbisoa has saved 17 of the 20 shots he has faced in four matches so far.

He has been named man-of-the-match three times in the four Group ‘B’ matches his team has played in the tournament; against Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso. 

He is blessed with sharp reflexes, and he is always at the right place at the right time when needed. As a goalkeeper, his position at the back of the team works in his favour with regard to performing a captain’s duties. Time and again, he can be heard barking instructions to his team mates from inside the 18-yard box during matches, or dashing from his position to whisper instructions on the ears of his team mates before dashing back to his position at lightning speed.

If Harambee Stars are to beat Madagascar, they will need a strategy to deal with Ramandimbisoa who has been conducting Madagascar’s orchestra from behind in matches. 

Acknowledging Ramandimbisoa’s stand-out performance in the group stage, Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has challenged his players to stay sharp for Kenya to secure victory. 

“We need to work extra hard because on the other side we are going to have a goalkeeper that knows what it is about performing incredibly on match day,” said McCarthy at pre-match conference in MISC Kasarani on Thursday. “We have to be extra sharp not just in striking but everybody should be ready to take up the challenge to score goals. It won’t be an easy challenge but we relish it. They best be well prepared because we will,” added the former Manchester United first-team forwards’ coach. 

In addition to his sharp reflexes between the posts, Ramandimbisoa has impressed with his clear communication with his defenders. 

Madagascar’s 60-year-old coach Romauld Rakotondrabe has admitted that the veteran goalkeeper has been instrumental in their campaign thus far.

“We are proud to have him among us. He has helped us to reach the quarter-fianls,” said coach Rakotondrabe. Ramandimbisoa is fresh from winning the Pureplay Football League and the Madagascar Cup with his club Elgeco Plus. 

Though Harambee Stars have progressed to the quarter-finals round have yet to win a match by more than one goal. 

Kenya stunned Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 before battling to a 1-1 draw with Angola. Harambee Stars then edged giants Morocco 1-0 before capping that impressive group-stage campaign with another narrow 1-0 victory over Zambia. Remarkably, Stars played over an hour with 10 men against both Morocco and Angola following red cards on midfielders Marvine Nabwire and Chrispine Erambo respectively. 

Striker Ryan Ogam delivered the decisive goals against both Morocco and Zambia while attacking midfielder Austine Odhiambo found the net against DR Congo and Angola.