South African U23 men’s Head coach Raymond Mdaka has announced the final squad that will face Madagascar in back-to-back Olympic Games qualifiers.
The two nations will face off in back-to-back matches next month in contestation of place in the upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations set to be hosted by Egypt in 2027.
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The upcoming U23 AFCON will also serve as the Olympic Games qualifiers, with the top two nations from the tournament going to represent Africa at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles in the United States of America in 2028.
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, Pretoria, with kickoff set at 20h00.
The overall winners of the two-legged tie between South Africa and Madagascar will face either Rwanda or Cameroon in the third round of qualifiers in March next year.
SA U-23 side will receive a massive boost in the upcoming two qualifiers, with head coach Raymond Mdaka set to return to the dugout after missing last month’s back-to-back friendlies against Algeria due to the bereavement of his late brother.
France-based defender Thato Sibiya, on loan at LOSC Lille, has made the final 24-member squad for coach Raymond Mdaka’s U23 side.
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Meanwhile, Nhlahla Gasa, who received a late call-up to replace the injured Emile Witbooi in the U23 squad’s last camp in September, has retained his place in the U23 Squad set to face Madagascar next month.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Gamolemo Kekana returns to the junior national team set-up after missing last month’s back-to-back friendlies against Algeria due to injury concerns.
Belgian-based forward Shandre Campbell, who was part of Bafana Bafana camp in the September international break, is also part of the U23 squad.
Tickets for South Africa’s home match on 17 November at Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria will go on sale soon.