Madagascar accept South Africa venue for Olympic qualifier return

Madagascar U23 coach Boualem Mankour says his team must accept playing their Olympic Games qualifying home leg against South Africa at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

The decision was made by CAF after Madagascar failed to provide a venue that met the required standards. The country’s football federation was also unable to offer the financial support needed to resolve the issue.

Madagascar’s first meeting with South Africa was also held at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon, where Raymond Mdaka’s side secured a narrow 1-0 victory.

Mankour said his players would have preferred to stage the match at the Mahamasina Stadium in Madagascar, but accepted that the circumstances left them with no alternative.

“We would have rather played at the Mahamasina Stadium in Madagascar, in front of our own public,” he said.

“But obviously, this is football, we have to adapt to the changes and consequences. And we’re playing the next game here as well, in the Lucas Moripe Stadium. So, yeah, there’s nothing to demotivate our team, and then we can only face the consequences.”

The coach believes the journey to South Africa affected his players physically, with the impact becoming clear after the interval. Madagascar conceded during the second half as their performance faded.

Mankour also said the lack of regular football in Madagascar meant the U23 team had only been assembled within a week of the tie.

He now intends to use the time before Tuesday night’s return match, which will again take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, to improve the team’s understanding and cohesion.

Mankour indicated that changes would be made for the second meeting and insisted the qualifying tie was not yet beyond Madagascar.