Young Chipolopolo Drawn in Group B of COSAFA U20 Championship
Defending champions Zambia have been drawn in Group B alongside 2022 semi-finalists Angola, Namibia, and Madagascar for the upcoming COSAFA Under-20 Championship, which will take place in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 26 to October 5. As record 12-time winners of the tournament, the Young Chipolopolo are looking to extend their dominance in the region and secure qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations next year.
Zambia’s group stage draw sets up a tantalizing rematch with Angola, whom they last faced at the semi-final stage of the 2022 tournament at Somhlolo Stadium in Eswatini. That match ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, with Zambia ultimately prevailing 3-2 on penalties to advance to the final. Both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in the group and secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
The COSAFA Under-20 Championship features 12 teams, divided into three groups of four, with the top teams advancing to the semi-finals. Group A comprises hosts Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, while Group C includes South Africa, Malawi, Comoros, and Lesotho. The group games will run from September 26 to October 1, followed by the semi-finals on October 3, and the final on October 5. Notably, this year’s competition will not feature a third-place play-off, adding extra pressure for teams to secure a spot in the final.
This regional tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The finalists of the COSAFA Under-20 Championship will earn a berth at the continental showpiece, making the stakes even higher for the Young Chipolopolo as they aim to defend their title and continue their legacy as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
