By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU: The Mauritius national football team has arrived in Kathmandu on Monday for two friendly matches against the Nepali national football team.
Nepal and Mauritius are playing two friendly matches at Dasharath Stadium on January 29 (Saturday) and February 1 (Tuesday). Mauritius lags behind Nepal in FIFA rankings. Nepal is ranked 169th and Mauritius 172nd. For the first time, Nepal is going to play an international fixture with an African team.
Coach Abdullah Almutairi had chosen 34 players in the preliminary selection for the friendly match. The team is training regularly at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. Almutairi is expected to announce the final squad in a few days.
The presence of spectators for the match is still not confirmed. ‘It is yet to be decided whether to play the game with or without spectators’, said Indraman Tuladhar, ANFA General Secretary of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).
‘The possibility of having one-third audience is being discussed. However, in coordination with the district administration, we will decide whether to have spectators with or without spectators. We will make a decision in a few days, ‘he said.
Nepal has not played any international game since the SAFF championship in Maldives. Nepal reached the final for the first time but went down to India. Nepal had played two friendly matches against India at Dasarath Stadium before the tournament. At that time, Nepal held India for a draw in the first match but lost the second match.
Match 1 : Nepal vs Mauritius : January 29, 2022 – Dasarath Rangashala
Match 2 : Nepal vs Mauritius : February 1, 2022 – Dasarath Rangashala