South Africa U23 face ‘closed book’ Madagascar in Olympic qualifiers

South Africa U23 head coach Raymond Mdaka says Madagascar remain an unknown quantity as the two sides prepare to meet in the Olympic Games qualifiers at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

Mdaka said even Bafana Bafana’s senior team analysts had been unable to find enough information about their opponents, making it difficult to plan for the tie.

Madagascar’s age-group team did not take part in COSAFA in Mozambique in 2024, leaving South Africa with limited footage and background knowledge of the squad they will face.

“Honestly, Madagascar is a very closed book. We have tried with whoever, including our senior team analysts, because they were not there in 2024 with COSAFA in Mozambique, this is the age group,” Mdaka said.

“We checked everywhere where we could find something, it remains a closed book, but other than that, we always have a way – as the technical team and coaches, to find something. It’s challenging, but we always have a way out.”

The South Africa coach has also had difficult decisions to make in finalising his squad for the qualifiers, with Shandre Campbell, Thato Sibiya and Thabang Mahlangu among the familiar players returning to the group.

Gabi Amato and Siviwe Magidigidi are among those left out, underlining the competition for places in the final selection.

Mdaka said the preliminary squad had been important in allowing his coaching staff to assess their options before naming the final 23-player group.

“With the kind of talent we have, it will always be a challenge, always be difficult, mostly to come up with 23 players. We have got a pool – that preliminary group we put together helps us to juggle around [selections],” he added.

The coach explained that regular playing time was one of the main factors considered when making changes to the squad, alongside a player’s ability and overall suitability.

“What do we do when we juggle around? We always try to find players who are playing regularly, players who have minutes. Yes, there’s injuries, but this pool helps us juggle around, but at the same time, looking at the competency, how good they are.

“Some might not be getting minutes to justify [selection], but sometimes it’s better to stay with what we know better than something we don’t know.”

A place in the next stage of the Olympic qualification campaign is at stake when the teams meet this week.

Mdaka will be hoping South Africa can deal with the lack of information about Madagascar and use home advantage at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium to progress.