Hosts Zambia have been drawn in a tough Group A at the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championships to be staged in Kitwe from December 2-14 as they seek to regain the trophy they last won two years ago.
Zambia have been drawn alongside Malawi, Mozambique and newcomers Réunion, who will bring an extra dimension and something of the unknown as an associate member of COSAFA.
All three will present a stern challenge for Zambia, who were crowned 2016 African champions, but disappointingly exited in the first round in Kitwe last year.
Group B contains holders South Africa, their traditional rivals at age-group level, Namibia, Mauritius and eSwatini. It is another tough pool to call with the teams likely to bring much-changed squads in 2018.
Group C contains last year’s runners-up Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana, who return to the regional championship after skipping last year.
Zimbabwe are six-time winners of the COSAFA Under-20 Championships, but have exited in the first round in each of the last two years and will be desperate to atone for those disappointments.
Only the top team in each pool and the best-placed runner-up advance to the semi-finals, where the competition switches to a knockout format.
“It is an exciting draw and one that will produce plenty of thrilling football during the competition, but also a chance for these boys to test their skill against their peers from around the region,” says COSAFA President Dr Phillip Chiyangwa.
The tournament returns to the copper belt after a successful staging in Kitwe last year and will be broadcast live on Kwesé TV.
“At Kwesé, we pride ourselves in broadcasting nothing but the best in sports,”said Progress Chisenga, Country Manager for Kwesé TV Zambia.
“As a broadcast partner for COSAFA in Africa, we are proud to offer a pan-African platform to showcase our continent’s phenomenal sporting talent on Kwesé’s extensive broadcast network. With active Kwesé TV subscriptions, sports lovers can follow the season from kick off to the finals on TV or on the move on Kwese’s mobile app.”
A version of the COSAFA Under-20 Championships was first played in 1983, with Zambia leading the way with 11 titles, while Zimbabwe and South Africa have six each and Madagascar one.
COSAFA Under-20 Championships Draw
Group A
Zambia
Malawi
Reunion
Mozambique
Group B
South Africa
Namibia
Mauritius
eSwatini
Group C
Lesotho
Zimbabwe
Angola
Botswana