COSAFA U-20: ZAMBIA SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CAMPAIGN
Zambia’s Junior Chipolopolo will begin their 2026 COSAFA U-20 Men’s Championship campaign this Friday as the regional tournament gets underway in Mozambique.
The competition kicks off on 18 September 2026, with Zambia drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Comoros and Botswana.
Zambia will open their campaign against Malawi at the Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo before facing Comoros and Botswana in their remaining group matches.
ZAMBIA’S GROUP C FIXTURES
Zambia vs Malawi
Friday, 18 September 2026
15:00 CAT
Zimpeto National Stadium, Maputo
Zambia vs Comoros
Monday, 21 September 2026
11:00 CAT
ABB 2, Matola
Zambia vs Botswana
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
15:00 CAT
ABB 2, Matola
The Junior Chipolopolo head into the tournament with more than regional bragging rights at stake.
The COSAFA U-20 Championship also serves as the region’s qualifying pathway to the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, with the two finalists earning qualification to the continental tournament in Ghana.
The stakes will rise even further at the U-20 AFCON, where the four semi-finalists will secure qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Zambia will therefore be chasing a place at both the continental and global stages, while also seeking to add to their impressive record in the COSAFA U-20 Championship.
The Junior Chipolopolo are record 12-time champions of the regional competition and will be determined to reclaim the title while securing a route to the U-20 AFCON and potentially the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
For Zambia, the journey begins against Malawi on Friday.
