Mauritius is gearing up to be a hive of activity in the next 10 days or so with four international matches to be played, three of which will be in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The action gets under way with a friendly between Mauritius and Seychelles on Saturday that will be played at the Cote D’Or Stadium, though behind closed doors due to health protocols.

The match is to allow both sides to prepare for their upcoming continental qualifiers, with Mauritius having also recently returned from a camp in Portugal.

Seychelles will then host COSAFA rivals Lesotho on March 23 in the ‘home’ leg of their qualifier, with travel difficulties meaning they had to find an alternate venue.

The same is true for Central African side Sao Tome e Principe, who will ‘host’ Mauritius in the first leg of their qualifying tie the following day, despite the fact the game will be played on the Indian Ocean Island.

It is the same scenario as the 2021 Cup of Nations qualifiers when Sao Tome e Principe played both the home and away group stage games against opponents South Africa in that country.

The reverse fixture of that tie will also therefore also be in Mauritius on March 27, with the qualification games to also be played without spectators.