WHEN Madagascar punched their ticket to their first-ever continental final at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, there was one player at the heart of it all — Rijaniaina Nicolas Randriamanampisoa.

The midfielder’s tireless performance in the semi-final against Sudan not only secured him the Man of the Match award but also elevated him into the spotlight as a symbol of Madagascar’s rise on the African football stage.

For Nicolas (pictured), the moment is not just about an award or a single game.

It is about writing his name into history with a generation that has taken Madagascar further than ever before.

 The Midfield Maestro in Dar es Salaam

At the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Madagascar’s tense 1-0 extra-time win over Sudan was defined by discipline, resilience, and one man’s relentless energy in midfield.

Nicolas ran, pressed, tackled, and passed with purpose, keeping the Barea’s engine ticking over through 120 minutes of intense football.

When substitute Toky Rakotondraibe struck in the 116th minute to send Madagascar to the final, it was Nicolas’s control and composure that had kept his side competitive in a match of fine margins. For the player himself, the moment was difficult to put into words.

“I thank God first for everything, all the members of the Madagascar national team, and all the players who participated in the match, after the victory over Sudan in the semi-final,” Nicolas said, reflecting on the emotional night.

 Humility Behind the Spotlight

Despite being named Man of the Match, Nicolas was quick to deflect personal praise. For him, the award was simply a reflection of collective effort.

“I am very happy with these results. I did not think that I would get this award. All I did was do my part on the field,” he admitted with humility after the match.

It is this grounded attitude that has made him a cornerstone of Madagascar’s CHAN campaign.

Whether breaking up play, launching attacks, or covering every blade of grass, Nicolas has embodied the fighting spirit that has carried the Barea through.

 A Dream Generation

What makes Madagascar’s story remarkable is not just the results but the journey. Bronze medallists on their CHAN debut in 2022, they have now gone one step further by reaching the final.

Nicolas believes this generation of players will be remembered forever.

“I am truly very happy to have qualified for the final of the CHAN. This is a first in the history of Malagasy football... We are the first generation to achieve this accomplishment,” he said proudly.

For a nation of fewer than 30 million people, whose footballing pedigree is still growing, this achievement is a dream realized.

And Nicolas, with his calm authority, is right at the centre of it.

 Inspiration for the Future

The midfielder’s performance is not just about one tournament. It is about inspiring a new era of Malagasy footballers.

His energy in midfield has symbolized the discipline, courage, and belief that coach Romuald Rakotondrabe has instilled in the side.

With the final in Nairobi looming against giants Morocco, Nicolas knows the task will not be easy.

But if Madagascar are to lift the trophy, his role will once again be central — steadying the midfield, linking play, and showing the composure of a player who understands the magnitude of history.

For Madagascar, CHAN 2024 is already a success. For Nicolas, it is personal vindication that his name, and his team’s, will forever be etched in African football folklore.