Latest news with #COSAFA
CAF
8 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
COSAFA Cup 2025: The perfect tune-up for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 contenders
The COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa is more than just a regional tournament—it's a crucial preparation platform for eight teams heading to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Southern African national teams are gearing up for another exciting edition of the COSAFA Cup, set to be hosted in Bloemfontein, South Africa between 4 – 15 June. This year's edition carries even more significance for 8 of the 14 participating nations, who will not only be aiming at lifting the regional title, but fine-tuning their squads ahead of two crucial CAF competitions set for later this year. Angola, Botswana, Comoros, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and East African invitational side, Tanzania head to the regional tournament with the aim of strategically using this competition to refine their tactics, assess squad depth, and build momentum this year's TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Of the seven COSAFA nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, only South Africa and Zambia have went on to lift to continental crown, while East African nation, Tanzania are yet to lift the coveted TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title. South Africa, drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe and Mozambique, will be eager to make the most of home advantage. Coach Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana Bafana to an impressive podium finish in Cote d'Ivoire last year has emphasised the importance of squad rotation, and the COSAFA Cup provides the perfect setting to test different combinations. Zimbabwe, returning to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals after missing the last edition, will focus on squad cohesion and tactical discipline. Mozambique, last year's COSAFA Cup bronze medallists, will aim to sharpen their attacking play and defensive organization. Angola, Botswana, and Zambia find themselves in Group D of the COSAFA Cup, making it one of the most competitive pools that will work toward their advantage in their fine-tuning of their squads. Angola, the defending COSAFA champions, will want to ensure their defensive stability matches their offensive prowess. Botswana, eager to make a statement, will focus on improving their attacking efficiency and defensive resilience. Zambia, a former TotalEnergies CAF AFCON champion (2012), has a rich history in the competition and will look to use their experience to gain an edge. Comoros and Tanzania, drawn together in Group C, will also benefit from the COSAFA Cup experience. Comoros, a rising force in African football, will aim to strengthen their squad chemistry and tactical discipline. Tanzania's inclusion in the tournament adds an interesting dynamic, as they are preparing for both the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON and CAF African Nations Championship later in the year. Beyond individual team preparations, the COSAFA Cup serves as a platform for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the final AFCON squads. Coaches will have the chance to experiment with formations, test new combinations, and assess their squad's adaptability under tournament conditions. The intensity of the matches will provide a realistic preview of the challenges awaiting them in Morocco.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Khumalo to lead Bafana Bafana in Cosafa Cup
"This is another Bafana Bafana team and I'm happy, I'm excited," said Khumalo. The South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed Vela Khumalo will lead Bafana Bafana in the 2025 Cosafa Cup. The regional tournament will be held in Bloemfontein from 4-15 June 2025. ALSO READ: AmaZulu release Bafana Bafana goalkeeper – report Khumalo, who is also the South African U17 men's national team coach, will be assisted by Reneilwe Letsholonyane while Molefi Ntseki will serve as technical advisor. Khumalo said he was excited with the challenge of leading Bafana in Bloemfontein. 'We are looking forward to this tournament and we're playing at home, we're playing in Bloemfontein, and we cannot compromise the team. This is another Bafana Bafana team and I'm happy, I'm excited. We want to go through, and we want to win COSAFA (Cup),' Khumalo told SAFA media. 'I remember the last time we won it with coach Morena Ramoreboli when we were co-coaches, now it's me alone. I think this is the right time for us to express ourselves and show how we as South Africans are on the winning streak, and we are happy and in a good space,' added the Kaizer Chiefs Diski Challenge side coach. SAFA technical committee chairman Jack Maluleke said Khumalo and U20 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Raymond Mdaka were to lead the COSAFA team, but the draw and workshop for the U20 FIFA World Cup this week put paid to that plan. ALSO READ: Blom leaves Kaizer Chiefs as squad overhaul begins 'Unfortunately, coach Raymond is not around because he is attending the FIFA draw and workshop for the Under-20 national teams in Chile. So, we felt that we must give him a break because he was in Egypt at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (SA won the tournament and are the African champions) only a few days ago and after that he went to Chile to the workshop,' explained Maluleke. Meanwhile, Khumalo has announced his squad for the COSAFA Cup. Khumalo included Chiefs players in the squad. The five players are goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, defender Aden McCarthy, midfielders Thabo Cele and Mduduzi Shabalala and striker Wandile Duba. The full Bafana Cosafa squad:
CAF
07-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Zambia in must-win clash against South Africa in Group A
COSAFA rivals South Africa and Zambia meet for the fourth time at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they clash in a final Group A fixture on Friday (kick-off 18:00 local time / 15:00 GMT). South Africa need just a point to qualify for the knockout stages, while Zambia must win. In their previous three encounters at the tournament finals, South Africa won twice and Zambia once. Their first meeting came in the group stage, where South Africa won 2-1 and progressed alongside Côte d'Ivoire, while Zambia were eliminated. In 2015, both teams were already eliminated before their final group game. South Africa triumphed in a 5-2 thriller, with Tyroane Sandows scoring a hat trick and Dumsani Zuma netting a brace. Zambia scored via a Kabelo Seriba own goal and a 90th-minute strike by Charles Zulu. The most recent clash came in the 2017 semi-finals. Hosts Zambia won 1-0, with Edward Chilufya scoring in the 109th minute to send his side to the final, where they went on to claim the title. In total, the three tournament encounters have produced 11 goals—7 for South Africa and 4 for Zambia. Notably, in both previous instances where the teams shared a group (1997 and 2015), they did not both advance. More recently, South Africa defeated Zambia 2-0 in the 2024 COSAFA U-20 final during qualifying for this tournament. Shandre Campbell and Lee Ahshene were the scorers. SOUTH AFRICA FACTS · After losing to hosts Egypt, South Africa beat Tanzania (1-0) and Sierra Leone (4-1). They will qualify with a win or draw. · South Africa have previously reached the knockout stages in 1997, 2009, 2017, and 2019. · The 4-1 win over Sierra Leone was their joint-biggest at the finals, equalling the 5-2 win over Zambia in 2015. · It was the first time they scored more than one goal in a game since their 3-1 win over Sudan in 2017. · This marks just the third time they've won back-to-back group games (also 1997 and 2009). · They've never won three games in open play at a single edition. · Should they progress, it would be the second time (after 1997) that they advanced after losing their opening game. · South Africa's four goals against Sierra Leone matched their total from the previous eight games. · Thabang Mahlangu became the first South African substitute to score a brace in a single game at the finals. · Neo Rapoo and Jody Ahshene each scored and assisted in the same match – a first for South Africa at this tournament. · Shakeel April has contributed in two games: scoring against Tanzania and assisting against Sierra Leone. ZAMBIA FACTS · Zambia are unbeaten after 0-0 draws with Sierra Leone and Egypt, followed by a 1-0 win over Tanzania. · The Tanzania win ended a five-game winless run at the finals (D3, L2). · It was their first win abroad at the tournament since beating Egypt 3-0 in 2007. · Before that, they had failed to win in 10 away games (L7, D3). · Zambia are the only team in Group A yet to concede. · They've kept three clean sheets for the first time in group play. · Goalkeeper Leevison Banda leads the tournament with three clean sheets. · Their only goal came via a stoppage-time penalty by Joseph Sabobo against Tanzania. They've yet to score from open play. · Their shot conversion rate is just 3.23%, the second-lowest in the tournament (only Tanzania have a worse rate). · A win would send Zambia to the knockouts for the fifth time (previously in 1991, 1999, 2007, 2017). · In 1991, also hosted by Egypt, they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. · Elimination would mark back-to-back group-stage exits (also in 2023), and their fifth overall (1995, 1997, 2015, 2023).
CAF
23-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
WATCH LIVE: CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe Important Announcement, 23 April-25
Published: Tuesday, 22 April 2025 The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Dr Patrice Motsepe will be making an important announcement in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday, 23 April. The announcement at the Sandton Convention Centre will be streamed live on SuperSport Blitz and CAF's YouTube channel, CAF TV from 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT). CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba will be in attendance, as well as COSAFA President Said Ali Said Athouman, the Presidents of the majority of COSAFA Member Associations and various other dignitaries.
CAF
22-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
WATCH LIVE: CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe Important Announcement, 23 April
Published: Tuesday, 22 April 2025 The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Dr Patrice Motsepe will be making an important announcement in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday, 23 April. The announcement at the Sandton Convention Centre will be streamed live on SuperSport Blitz and CAF's YouTube channel, CAF TV from 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT). CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba will be in attendance, as well as COSAFA President Said Ali Said Athouman, the Presidents of the majority of COSAFA Member Associations and various other dignitaries.
