Barea U23 head coach Boualem Mankour and his assistant Johan Paul have been in Madagascar for nearly a week to prepare for the pre-selection ahead of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In an interview, Mankour discussed his strategy, emphasizing his commitment to developing local talent.
Regarding the team composition, Mankour noted that while the senior national team relies heavily on expatriates, he aims to prioritize local players to foster the growth of Malagasy football. He stated, ‘I am Franco-Algerian, but I defend the country that provides for me. I want to value the locals to develop Malagasy football.’
Assessing the local talent, Mankour highlighted the technical skills of Malagasy players but pointed out tactical and mental gaps. ‘Madagascar can explode on the international stage if we work well on the tactical aspect and especially the mental side,’ he explained. He is currently implementing ‘tactical periodization’ to help players step out of their comfort zones and improve their positioning.
Addressing recent rumors about an incident where he allegedly abandoned the team, Mankour clarified that the reports were false and stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding travel expenses and project funding. He reaffirmed his commitment to the project, noting that he is working primarily on a voluntary basis while awaiting a formal contract.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-06 06:09:08 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/boualem-mankour-coach-principal-des.html