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Olympic Qualifiers: Why South Africa versus Madagascar will be played behind closed doors

Olympic Qualifiers: Why South Africa versus Madagascar will be played behind closed doors

The South African Football Association (SAFA) would like to inform the public that no spectators will be allowed in the first match of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers between Madagascar and Sasol Banyana Banyana on Friday, 9 October 2026.

The decision comes following a request made by the visiting team Madagascar, who are the hosts of the first leg Olympic Games qualifier. This match will take place at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and kicks off at 15h00.

Fans will, however, be allowed to attend the second leg scheduled for the same venue with an 18h00 kick off. The fixture will take place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Banyana Banyana have already arrived in Bloemfontein and held their first training session at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Tuesday.

South Africa last played in the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio, Brazil, and are eager to make a return to the global event. But Banyana Banyana will be without experienced defender Bambanani Mbane who has returned home to continue with her injury rehabilitation.

The second leg will take place on Tuesday, 13 October, also at the Free State Stadium.

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