The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has officially announced that Durban, South Africa, will host the 2019 edition of the COSAFA Cup. The sub-regional tournament, which brings together 14 national teams from Southern Africa each year, is scheduled to take place from May 25 to June 8. Zimbabwe will enter the competition as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in the previous edition.
The choice of Durban reflects South Africa’s continued commitment to hosting major regional football events and providing quality infrastructure for international competitions. Organizers hope that the 2019 COSAFA Cup will serve as an important preparatory platform for teams from the region that have qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. With the continental tournament approaching, the COSAFA Cup offers national teams a valuable opportunity to assess squad depth, test tactical approaches, and give playing time to emerging talent in a competitive environment.
The tournament traditionally features a mix of established national sides and younger players, making it a crucial development tool for football in Southern Africa. For AFCON-qualified nations, the competition will act as a warm-up ahead of the continental showpiece, while other teams will view it as a chance to build momentum and gain international experience.
In addition to confirming the host city for the men’s senior tournament, COSAFA has also unveiled the schedule and host nations for its other competitions planned for later in the year. These announcements underline the organization’s broad commitment to developing football across multiple age groups and both genders.
The COSAFA Women’s Championship will be held from July 31 to August 11 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The tournament will run concurrently with the Women’s U20 Championship, which is scheduled for August 1 to 11 and will also take place in Port Elizabeth. Hosting both competitions simultaneously is expected to boost visibility for women’s football in the region and provide logistical efficiencies for organizers.
Meanwhile, youth football will be in the spotlight during the latter part of the year. Mauritius has been selected to host the Women’s U17 Championship, which will take place from September 13 to 22. Shortly afterward, Malawi will welcome the region’s top young male talents when it hosts the Men’s U17 Championship from September 26 to October 5. These tournaments are seen as key stepping stones in the development pathway for young players aspiring to reach senior international level.
The COSAFA calendar will conclude with the Men’s U20 Championship, scheduled to be held in Zambia from December 4 to 15. This competition is expected to showcase some of the region’s most promising prospects and play a crucial role in identifying future senior internationals.
By spreading its tournaments across several host nations, COSAFA continues to promote regional cooperation and football development throughout Southern Africa. The diverse calendar for 2019 reflects the organization’s ambition to strengthen the game at all levels, from youth and women’s football to senior men’s competitions.
With Durban set to welcome the region’s top national teams for the COSAFA Cup, anticipation is already building for a tournament that promises competitive football, valuable preparation for AFCON-bound teams, and another celebration of Southern African football.
