AGAIN! Madagascar Calls Off Friendly Match With South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

Madagascar has joined Zambia in calling off a football match against South Africa in the wake of xenophobic attacks in the country.

Bafana Bafana of South Africa were originally set to face Zambia in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia as part of their warm-up fixtures before their AFCON qualifiers in November but the match was canceled on Tuesday after Zambia withdrew citing prevailing security concerns.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) quickly arranged a replacement with Madagascar and also announced free entry for supporters attending the fixture at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) said it is pulling out of the planned friendly citing security reasons. The statement said:

“The Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) has been approached by the South African Football Federation (SAFA) to organize a friendly match between the national team of Madagascar and that of South Africa.

“Honoured by this consideration, and finding the interesting opportunity to prepare the Malagasy national team for the different deadlines that await them, the FMF initially gave its agreement in principle for the organisation of the meeting.

“However, after having agreed with Malagasy national institutions in particular regarding the security of the delegation of Madagascar and Malagasy nationals in South Africa, it was found necessary and judicious to decline the invitation.

“The Malagasy national team will continue its reunion in Madagascar and will see its elements return to their respective clubs after the FIFA date.

“Finally, the FMF apologizes to SAFA for the efforts they have begun to organize the meeting, and also supporters of Malagasy football who looked forward to the match.”

Bafana Bafana confirmed the cancellation of the match in a tweet by the South African FA tweeted.

See the tweet below:

Breaking News: SAFA regrets to inform the public that the match between Bafana Bafana and Madagascar scheduled for this coming Saturday (7 September) has been called off after the visitors (Madagascar) decided to withdraw from the encounter. pic.twitter.com/HVD6nRLu4r

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 5, 2019