South African U23 Men’s national team coach Raymond Mdaka has named a 37-man preliminary squad for next month’s back-to-back U23 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar.
The two nations will meet over two legs in contestation of place in the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of nations that will also serve as 2028 LA Olympics qualifiers.
Madagascar will host the first leg on Wednesday, 14 November at 15h00, while the return match will be played on Saturday, 17 November at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, with a 20h00 kickoff.
The overall winners between South Africa and Madagascar will face either Rwanda or Cameroon in the third round in March next year.
The remaining seven teams after this phase will join hosts Egypt in the 2027 CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where the top two nations from this tournament will represent Africa at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in the United States of America in 2028.
SA U-23 side will receive massive boost in the upcoming two qualifiers with head coach Raymond Mdaka set to return on the dugout after missing last month’s back-to-back friendlies against Algeria due to bereavement of his late brother.
South Africa also welcome the return of midfielder Gamolemo Kekana and Langalehle Phili in the preliminary squad after they both missed September U23 international friendlies due to injuries.
Tickets for South Africa’s home match on 17 November at Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria will go on sale soon