Times Of Swaziland: MADAGASCAR READY FOR ESWATINI EPIC CLASH

MADAGASCAR READY FOR ESWATINI EPIC CLASH
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Nimrod Hlophe on 04/11/2024 08:12:00


MBABANE – The 2023 TotalEnergies African Nations Championships (CHAN) bronze
medallists, Madagascar, are taking their qualifying challenge seriously.
They are set to face Eswatini in a two-legged tie, scheduled for the weekends of
December 20-22 and December 26-29. Madagascar were exempt from the first
qualifying round, while the national team, Sihlangu, triumphed over Zimbabwe
with a 4-0 aggregate score. According to the Malagasy Football Federation (FMF),
preparations commenced well in advance of the initial phase’s conclusion.
“The training camp for players from local leagues, selected by appointed
coaches, will commence on October 27, 2024, in Antananarivo. This first stage
will involve a selection of approximately 40 players and will utilise a
progressive elimination system to refine the squad over the days,” the FMF
announced last week.
The FMF also indicated that a second training camp is planned for the end of
this month. This session will see the final team formed from players chosen
during the first camp, alongside local players currently with the Barea A
(senior national team) and some from the 2022 CHAN squad. The island’s
football governing body stated that this approach aims to build a solid and
experienced team. FMF President Alfred Randriamanampisoa expressed their
commitment to promoting local talent and investing in the identification and
development of young players. Meanwhile, Sihlangu are expected to redirect its
focus towards the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, which are scheduled
for next week.