South African U23 Men’s National Team coach Raymond Mdaka has named a 37-man preliminary squad as preparations intensify for the crucial back-to-back qualifiers against Madagascar in the race to secure a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
South Africa will face Madagascar over two legs in the second round of the African qualifying campaign, with the young national team needing to negotiate this hurdle to keep its Olympic dream alive.
The first leg is scheduled for November 14 at 15:00, with Madagascar hosting the encounter, while the return fixture will take place on November 17 at 8pm at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
The two matches will be decisive for Mdaka’s charges, who are aiming to progress further in a qualifying campaign that offers Africa a limited number of places at the global showpiece.
Victory over Madagascar would see South Africa advance to the third round, where they will face either Rwanda or Cameroon in March next year.
The stakes are high, as the remaining seven teams after the second round will join hosts Egypt at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament will serve as the final continental pathway to the Los Angeles Olympics, with the top two teams earning the right to represent Africa at the 2028 Games in the United States.
Mdaka’s decision to name an expanded preliminary squad gives the technical team an opportunity to assess available talent before settling on the final group for the two-legged assignment.
South Africa will be hoping to make the most of their home advantage in the return leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium, where supporters could play an important role in motivating the young players.
Tickets for the home encounter are expected to go on sale soon, with further details to be announced.