The COSAFA U20 Championship, a key regional qualifying tournament for the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025, is set to begin in Matola, Mozambique. The competition officially starts on Thursday, with Zimbabwe and Botswana facing off in the opening match at 12:00 CAT (10:00 GMT).
This tournament holds significant importance as the two teams that reach the finals will secure a place in next year’s continental finals, which will serve as the qualifying event for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Four African teams will represent the continent in the global tournament, and the Southern African region hopes to claim two of those spots.
The COSAFA U20 qualifiers will feature 11 teams after Madagascar’s late withdrawal, leaving just three teams in Group B.
Matches will take place at the state-of-the-art ABB Stadium in Matola, home to Mozambique’s top-tier football club, Associação Black Bulls.
With three groups of teams vying for supremacy, the competition promises high-stakes drama as the squads battle for regional glory and a shot at the world stage.
Group A action begins with Zimbabwe and Botswana squaring off in what promises to be an intense opener.
Both sides will look to get their campaigns off to a strong start, knowing that every match is crucial in such a tightly contested competition.
The hosts, Mozambique, will follow suit later in the day, taking on Eswatini at 15:00 CAT, as they seek to capitalize on their home advantage.
Zimbabwe, known for their resilient and well-organized football at youth level, will be keen to make an early statement. Botswana, on the other hand, will be looking to upset the balance and stamp their authority on the tournament, eager to secure a rare opportunity to compete on the continental stage.
Zambia, the defending champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition with 12 titles, will launch their campaign on Friday.
They will take on Namibia in a highly anticipated Group B clash.
The Zambians, who have a rich tradition of producing top-level talent, are aiming to extend their record and make it 13 championships.
However, with only three teams in Group B after Madagascar’s withdrawal, the margin for error is slim.
A loss could put any team in immediate danger of missing out on the knockout stages, making Zambia’s opener against Namibia critical for both sides.
Friday will also see the start of Group C, as Comoros takes on Lesotho at 12:00 CAT, followed by a showdown between South Africa and Malawi at 15:00 CAT.
South Africa, another regional powerhouse, will be looking to make their mark early and avoid any slip-ups against Malawi.
Lesotho, a team known for surprising larger opponents, will be hoping to replicate their past upsets in the region.
The tournament will continue through the group stages, with the top team from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Joining them will be the best-placed runner-up from across the three groups.
The semi-finals are scheduled for October 3, with the grand final taking place two days later on October 5.
The COSAFA U20 Championship represents not only a chance for regional supremacy but also an opportunity for young players to showcase their talent on a bigger stage.
For teams like Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia, this tournament could be the stepping stone toward further success on the continental and global stage.
With high hopes and fierce competition expected throughout, the Southern African region will be watching closely to see which teams can seize their chance and take a step closer to the FIFA U20 World Cup.
