COSAFA U20
from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – HOSTS Zambia will be aiming to revive their dominance and defending champions South Africa to reclaim the title when the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) men’s Under-20 Championship gets under way on Wednesday (today).
The tournament is the last of a record six tournaments hosted by COSAFA this year, with the winner to be decided in the final on December 14.
Zambia, seeking to regain the title they last won in 2016, takes on Botswana in the opening fixture at the Nkoloma Stadium in the capital Lusaka. Kick-off for the Group A tie is 15h30.
Coach Oswald Mutapa, who guided the COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Championship to victory in October, will now be seeking to do a unique ‘double’ by claiming the Under-20 competition.
The group also includes Malawi and Comoros Islands.
Helman Mkhalele’s South Africa must face off against Mauritius, Lesotho and Madagascar in Group B.
Angola, Lesotho, Madagascar and Seychelles are in Group C.
Zambia have been the most successful side in the competition that was first held in 1983.
Young Chipolopo have ten wins, followed by South Africa (eight) and Zimbabwe (six).
Madagascar have won it once.
– CAJ News