Madagascar has qualified for the second round of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following the withdrawal of the Comoros team.
A major step forward. The Barea U23 are officially qualified for the second round of the qualifiers for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The Comoros Football Federation withdrew its team from the U23 AFCON qualifiers, and the Coelacanthes will not participate in the competition. According to an official letter sent to CAF by the organization, “Consequently and in accordance with the competition regulations, Madagascar is qualified for the second round of the qualifiers. Therefore, the matches initially scheduled between Madagascar and the Comoros in the first round will not take place.” These matches were originally scheduled for September 28 (first leg) and October 6 (second leg).
The Barea will now face the South African Bafana-Bafana in the second round. The first leg will take place on November 9, and the return leg on November 17. The mission will become increasingly complicated for Team Manager Solonirina and his assistant, Hery Nirina Jacques Landry Ralison, known as “Nene,” as well as their local collaborators.
The South Africans have much more experience in this category. South Africa has already won two bronze medals at the U23 AFCON, in 2015 and 2019. The Rainbow Nation also records two participations in the Olympic Games, notably in 2000 in Sydney and 2016 in Rio. Without delay, the Malagasy Football Federation and the staff members in charge of the selection and preparation of the Barea should take advantage of this withdrawal by the Coelacanthes to optimize preparation and take action. The technical team will therefore have two months to prepare for these matches against the Bafana-Bafana in early November.
Team Manager Solonirina Raharijaona had mentioned wanting to form “a combative team composed of players with the level of seniors playing in the national division abroad as well as in Madagascar, and those who are within the age category and competing in the Pure Play Football League (PFL).”
The presentation of the staff members was scheduled for last week but did not take place following the cancellation of the first-round matches. The eyes of football enthusiasts and Barea fans will therefore be fixed on the officials in charge of preparing for the next matches scheduled in two months.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-08 05:54:04 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/football-qualifications-can-u23-les_01784177291.html