Following the withdrawal of the Comoros, the Madagascar U23 national team is planning to play two friendly matches before entering the second round of the AFCON qualifiers.
Preparation matches: The Barea U23 secured their ticket to the second round of the U23 AFCON qualifiers—which also serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games—following the Comoros’ forfeit in the first round.
The team will face the South African Bafana-Bafana in the next stage. The first leg is scheduled for November 9, with the return leg on November 17. Team manager Solonirina Raharijaona and his staff have less than two months to finalize the selection and prepare the national team. They are planning to organize two friendly matches in France soon. “We are currently in negotiations. Agents are handling the procedures, and we are waiting to see how the situation evolves. We have contacted European and African teams,” emphasized Solonirina Raharijaona.
The final training camp is expected to begin on September 22 and end on October 1.
The two preparation matches could potentially be held on September 26 and 30. Meanwhile, football fans are eagerly awaiting the official presentation of the technical staff members (both abroad and in Madagascar), the list of selected players—which could consist mostly of expatriates—as well as the official preparation program.
As a reminder, Madagascar was initially scheduled to meet the Comorian Coelacanthes in the first round. They now face South Africa, a major African football nation that should not be underestimated. South Africa has already won two bronze medals at the U23 AFCON (in 2015 and 2019) and has participated in the Olympic Games twice, notably in Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-12 05:53:35 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/football-qualifications-can-u23-les_0383624705.html