Madagascar: Pitch uncertainty slows Mahamasina Stadium renovation

Madagascar’s Ministry of Youth and Sport has yet to decide on the pitch type to be installed at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium. The 40,000-seater stadium is undergoing refurbishment so that the Madagascar national team can play at home when the group stage of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying begins in September this year.

 

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The pitch installation was initially set to begin in mid-March, but the government’s delay in deciding on the turf type means construction is not going as planned. The official explanation given to local media is that the government is weighing its options before commencing the pitch upgrade.

According to 2424.mg, the Ministry of Youth and Sport has disclosed that the stadium will have either hybrid turf or artificial grass. These options were selected due to their durability, water consumption levels, and approval by relevant football governing bodies.

The current surface is natural grass, as the government has ordered a halt to its maintenance and treatment. The Ministry added that modern technology will be implemented in the stadium, following the example of stadiums in Egypt and Morocco.

Madagascar head coach Corentin Martins hopes the country will receive the green light from CAF regarding the stadium ban before the 2027 AFCON group qualifiers kick off in September. The Barea have lacked home support in recent games due to the CAF stadium ban.