Twelve nations from the Southern African region are gearing up for the annual COSAFA Cup, set to take place in South Africa from 27 June to 7 July.
The official draw for the competition was conducted in Johannesburg on Friday, June 14, where the teams were divided into three exciting groups of four ahead of the two-week tournament.
This year marks the 23rd edition of the regional competition, with reigning champions Zambia looking to defend their title and extend their record as the team with the most COSAFA titles. With seven titles to their name, Zambia aims to become the first team in history to win three COSAFA Cup titles in a row.
Other nations with impressive COSAFA Cup histories include Zimbabwe, with six titles, South Africa with five, and Angola with three. Tournament hosts South Africa have been drawn in Group A alongside Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana. The reigning champions, Zambia, will face Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and a yet-to-be-confirmed fourth team in Group B.
Angola, another strong contender, will compete in Group C against the confident Namibia, and island nations Comoros and Seychelles. The official host venue for the competition will be announced soon.
As the teams prepare for the showdown, excitement is building across the region. South Africa, as the hosts, will look to leverage home advantage and add another title to their impressive record. Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana will also be eager to make their mark in Group A.
In Group B, Zambia’s quest for a historic third consecutive title will be closely watched, with Zimbabwe and Lesotho providing stiff competition. The yet-to-be-confirmed team will complete the group, adding an element of unpredictability.
Group C promises to be equally thrilling, with Angola facing tough opponents in Namibia, Comoros, and Seychelles. Namibia, buoyed by recent strong performances, will be looking to challenge Angola for the top spot in the group.
As the countdown to the COSAFA Cup 2024 begins, fans across Southern Africa are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a spectacular display of regional football talent.
COSAFA CUP 2024 DRAW RESULTS:
GROUP A: South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana
GROUP B: Zambia, TBC, Lesotho, Zimbabwe
GROUP C: Angola, Namibia, Comoros, Seychelles
