1 June 2018– Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter says his charges will have to be at their best to deal with Madagascar, who they face in the quarterfinal of the 2018 COSAFA Cup tournament currently underway in Polokwane.
The Islanders finished top of Group A to set up a date with the South Africans – the clash takes place on Sunday, 3 June 2018 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Kick off is at 15h00.
Madagascar topped the group with seven points – just one ahead of second-placed Mozambique, who defeated the Seychelles in the other Group A clash.
Baxter and his assistant, Molefi Ntseki were at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and watching as the Malagasy booked their last eight place on Thursday night (31 May).
“They have very good players, and also very technical. They play very quick and tackle very quick so we have to take a lot of care with our ball possession, and also pay a lot of attention to our defending – especially in one v one situations so we don’t get dominated physically,” said Baxter after the match.
“They are very speedy and as such they turn the ball very often so our transitions will be very important as well.”
This will be the fourth match in seven days for Madagascar, while Bafana Bafana will playing their first game of the tournament, which will also be the first game together for the hosts.
“We have played a little friendly game and a little 11 v 11, that’s what my team has played together and the first game will be probably the most difficult for us because we have to play, get together and gel a little bit. So it’s a difficult game in a lot of ways but it is one I think the boys can handle based on what I have see of the squad, and I am hopeful we can deal with this one and the tournament opens us for us,” said Baxter.
The two nations have met five times – with four wins for South Africa, with just one drawn match.
The first ever match took place in 1994, which was an African Nations Cup qualifier played at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo.
South Africa won 1-0 with a Phil Masinga goal – the line-up included the likes of Neil Tovey, Steve Khomphela (c), Lucas Radebe, Pitso Mosimane, Marks Maponyane, Doctor Khumalo and the late John Moshoeu.
The last encounter was an international friendly match played in 2009 in Kimberly.
Bafana Bafana have scored five goals against the Malagasy and have not conceded.
The winner of this match will face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Zambia and Namibia in the last four.
The semi-final will take place on Wednesday, 6 June at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
SOUTH AFRICA VS MADAGASCAR HEAD-TO-HEAD
P W D L GF GA
5 4 1 0 5 0
4 September, 1994
v Madagascar 1-0(P Masinga 21’)
African Nations Cup qualifying group 5
Mahamasina Municipal stadium, Antananarivo
South Africa:Steve Crowley, Steve Komphela capt., Edward Motale, Andrew Tucker, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, Mark Fish, Doctor Khumalo, John Moshoeu (Linda Buthelezi 85’), Pitso Mosimane (Marks Maponyane 66’), Phil Masinga. Coach:Clive Barker.
12 May, 2002
v Madagascar 1-0 (Thabo Mngomeni 14’)
Friendly international
King’s Park, Durban
South Africa:Andre Arendse capt.(Hans Vonk 46’), Bradley Carnell (Cyril Nzama 46’), Thabang Molefe (Matthew Booth 46’), Pierre Issa (Lucas Radebe 46’), Aaron Mokoena (Mbulelo Mabizela 46’), Jabu Pule (Clement Mazibuko 46’), Thabo Mngomeni (Bennett Mnguni 46’), Tebeho Mokoena (Delron Buckley 46’), MacBeth Sibaya (MacDonald Mukansi 46’), Siyabona Nomvete (Bradley August 46’ [Jacob Lekgetho 75’]), Benni McCarthy (George Koumantarakis 46’). Coach:Jomo Sono.
21 July, 2002
v Madagascar 0-0
Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final
Boet Erasmus stadium, Port Elizabeth
South Africa won 4-1 on pens
South Africa:Andre Arendse capt., Cyril Nzama, Tony Coyle, Peter Khoabane, Thabang Molefe, Stanton Fredericks, Jabu Pule, Tebeho Mokoena, Benedict Vilakazi (Steve Lekoelea 75’), Clement Mazibuko, Patrick Mayo (Jimmy Kauleza 65’). Coach:Jomo Sono.
29 March, 2003
v Madagascar 2-0 (Lesley Manyathela 42’, Ando Rabesaotra Ramarojaona 82’ own goal)
Friendly international
Soccer City, Johannesburg
South Africa:Brian Baloyi capt., Cyril Nzama, Aaron Mokoena, Mbulelo Mabizela, Jacob Lekgetho, Tebeho Mokoena, Steven Pienaar (Goodman Mazibuko 89’), Sibusiso Zuma, Delron Buckley (Japhet Zwane 67’), George Koumantarakis (Mabhuti Khanyeza 13’ [Stanton Fredericks 67’]), Lesley Manyathela. Coach:Ephraim Mashaba.
19 September, 2009
v Madagascar 1-0 (Mphela 64’)
friendly international
GWK Stadium, Kimberley
South Africa:Emille Baron, Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo, Morgan Gould, Lucas Thwala, Siyabonga Nkosi (Katlego Mphela 46’), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Rooi Mahamutsa 87’), Benson Mhlongo capt., Siphiwe Tshabalala (Daine Klate 76’), Richard Henyekane (Gert Schalkwyk 76’), Mabhuti Khenyeza (Sthembiso Ngcobo 72’). Coach:Joel Santana