The international break provides a chance for Africa’s top nations to return to action this week for the first time since the thrilling CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast last month.
From mouth-watering friendlies against South American opposition to the start of the new FIFA Series, it’s an opportunity for several of the continent’s heavyweights to get back on the horse.
Newly-crowned African champions Ivory Coast lead the way with two eye-catching fixtures lined up in France.
The Elephants open their March program against Benin in Amiens on March 23rd, before a glamour tie versus Uruguay and their mercurial coach Marcelo Bielsa awaits in Lens three days later.
It promises to be an epic test against the two-time World Cup winners as the Ivorians begin preparations for June’s World Cup qualifiers.
Fellow West African giants Senegal are also in friendly action in Amiens, taking on Gabon on the 22nd and Benin again four days later.
Former African Player of the Year Sadio Mane and his Teranga Lions teammates will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing TotalEnergies CAF AFCON showing.
Nigeria could provide the sternest test of the international window when they face Ghana in Marrakech on March 22nd.
The Super Eagles were beaten in last month’s AFCON final by Cote d’Ivoire and will be desperate to gain revenge over their great rivals following Ghana’s World Cup playoff win last year.
Elsewhere, Africa’s representatives in the new FIFA Series competition get underway, with Algeria hosting Bolivia and South Africa in Algiers.
New Fennecs coach Vladimir Petkovic takes charge of his first matches as he looks to galvanize the recent underachievers.
Morocco are also in friendly action on home soil, with Angola and Mauritania the visitors to Agadir later this month.
After an abundance of drama at the AFCON, the international schedule offers Africa’s elite another chance to strut their stuff on the global stage.
Friendly fixtures for March’s international break
March 21, 2024 – Venue
Guinea v Vanuatu – Saudi Arabia
Ethiopia v Lesotho –
Cape Verde v Guyana – Saudi Arabia
Andorra v South Africa – Annaba, Algeria
March 22, 2024
Tanzania v Bulgaria – Azerbaijan
Morocco v Angola – Agadir, Morocco
Senegal v Gabon – Amiens, France
Nigeria v Ghana – Marrakech, Morocco
Algeria v Bolivia – Algiers
Egypt v New Zealand – Cairo
Madagascar v Burundi – Antananarivo
Burkina Faso v Libya – Morocco
Botswana v Rwanda – Antananarivo
Mali v Mauritania – Marrakech, Morocco
Niger v Togo – Mohammedia, Morocco
Comoros v Uganda – Marrakech, Morocco
March 23, 2024
Zambia v Zimbabwe – Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi v Kenya – Lilongwe, Malawi
Ivory Coast v Benin – Amiens, France
Tunisia v Croatia – Cairo
March 25, 2024
Burundi v Botswana – Antananarivo
Rwanda v Madagascar – Antananarivo
Cape Verde v Equatorial Guinea – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Guinea v Bermuda – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Gabon v Congo – Chambly, France
Tanzania v Mongolia – Azerbaijan
Comoros v Angola – Marrakech, Morocco
March 26, 2024
Burkina Faso v Niger – Berrechid, Morocco
Togo v Libya – Casablanca
Uganda v Ghana – Marrakech, Morocco
Senegal v Benin – Amiens, France
Ivory Coast v Uruguay – Lens, France
Mali v Nigeria – Marrakech, Morocco
Algeria v South Africa – Algiers
Morocco v Mauritania – Agadir, Morocco
Source: CAF