Head coach Raymond Mdaka has named 24 players for the double-header against Madagascar on 14 and 17 November in Atteridgeville. Thato Sibiya (LOSC Lille) and Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Estoril Praia) are among the overseas contingent.
South Africa U23 now know their squad for the third round of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games. Head coach Raymond Mdaka has announced a list of 24 players called up to face Madagascar on 14 and 17 November 2026, SAFA said via MyZA. Defender Thato Sibiya, who plays for LOSC Lille, and goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, who plays for Estoril Praia in Portugal, are among the overseas players selected.
Both matches will be played in South Africa, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, on the outskirts of Pretoria. With no suitable venues in Madagascar, SAFA is organising the entire double-header. The first leg, officially Madagascar’s “home” match, is scheduled for Saturday 14 November at 15:00; the return leg, handled by the South Africans, will be played on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00.
A familiar core
Mdaka has kept the bulk of his squad. The list retains the players who faced Algeria in a friendly in Bloemfontein this month, a match won 3-1 before a 1-1 draw.
The two overseas players named, Sibiya and Smythe-Lowe, play in France and Portugal respectively.
South Africa were exempted from the previous round after the Comoros withdrew, which sends them straight into this third round.
A ticket to Los Angeles in their sights
The top two at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Egypt, will represent Africa at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, SAFA said.
Before thinking about California, they will have to get past Madagascar. The winner of this double-header will then face Rwanda or Cameroon next March.
See you in Atteridgeville
Both matches will be played in the same stadium, three days apart: the first leg on Saturday 14 November at 15:00, the return leg on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00.
The next round, in March 2027, will pit the winner against Rwanda or Cameroon.