Madagascar's preparations for the Cosafa Castle Cup match against Mauritius later this month have suffered a setback after the national side was barred from training at the match venue.

Nowhere in the world does a national team suffer such indignity from its own people Hans Heiniger

Coach Hans Heiniger and 18 players were locked out of the Mahamasina Municipal stadium in Antananarivo because the Malagasy football federation had allegedly not paid to hire the ground.

Heiniger was furious at the turn of events, saying: "I've never seen anything like this before. Nowhere in the world does a national team suffer such indignity from its own people."

The Swiss coach said he would seek a meeting with the Sports Ministry to sort out the situation.

Madagascar's FA and the ministry have been at loggerheads in recent months, particularly over the appointment of Heiniger.

Late last year, the government suspended the FA but were forced to back-track after threats of suspension from Fifa.

Madagascar are having a solid spell at present and are topping the standings in their African Nations Cup qualifying group, which includes Mauritius.

Co-incidentally, they play Mauritius in Antananarivo on 22 March in the opening match of this year's southern African championship.

Madagascar have called up four of their players based with clubs on the nearby island of Reunion - Ruphin Menakely, Jean-Jacques Radonamahafalison, Etienne Rado Rasoanaivo and Fabrice Mosa.