Madagascar is expected to play the preliminary round of the African Nations Championship in more than a week. The Federation is still awaiting notification from CAF.
In the dark. The competitions continue for the Bareas. After the Island Games and then the match against Angola counting for the last day of the qualifiers for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, Madagascar should begin the preliminary qualifying round for the African Nations Championship in ten days. Participation in this first round is still unclear. “We are awaiting notification from the African Confederation regarding match dates and opponents.
We do not yet know if Madagascar will compete in the preliminary round after its ranking at the end of the previous edition. We are awaiting developments in the situation this week,” specifies the national technical director, Rado Rasoanaivo. Asked about the appointment of the coach, because the contract of coach Romuald Rakotondrabe ended after the match against Angola on September 7, the first technical manager of Malagasy football responded: “His contract is at the end. We let him breathe a little. We of course have ideas in mind with a view to CHAN and later qualification for the World Cup. There is no need to rush either.”
Selection steps
Madagascar will play in the Cosafa zone, which brings together eleven nations, namely Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatinia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The first round match is scheduled for September 22, 23 or 24 and the return on October 6, 7 or 8. The Barea’s next matches also coincide with the preparation and elections of the future leaders of the Federation which could probably have repercussions on the decisions to be taken.
After the mid-October elections, the newly elected officials will surely have their point of view. Asked on his return to the country on Saturday, to know if he wants to continue the adventure with the Barea at the next CHAN, Rôrô was clear: “My contract is ending and everything depends on the decision-makers. The main criteria for choosing a coach are, among other things, experience at the head of a national A team, in addition to the required diplomas of course (…) Lately, we are operating more and more as professionals. A formal contract with the technicians existed during the last Island Games and we will continue in this direction,” underlines Rado Rasoanaivo.
Despite the short preparation time, the latter assured that “with a view to possible preparations and travel, even if finances are not my domain, I hope that each body, the Federation for its part and the State of the other will honor their respective responsibilities.” So far, we have no clue about the next Barea coach for CHAN. in addition to the required diplomas of course.