By GWEN CHIPASULA –
CHAMPIONS Zambia were yesterday drawn alongside nemesis Malawi in Group A for the COSAFA Under-17 Championship slated for July 22 to 31 in Mauritius.
Zambia, who beat Zimbabwe in the final of the competition last held in 2014, will take on neighbours Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique while the hosts will battle it out against former winners South Africa, Namibia and the Seychelles.
Coming hot on the heels of the successful staging of the COSAFA Castle Cup in Namibia, it will be a showcase of the southern African regions upcoming talent with scouts from top clubs expected to be looking for future stars.
The tournament will be played at two venues in Mauritius, the George V Stadium in Curepipe and St. François Xavier Stadium in the capital Port Louis and will see the top sides in each group advancing to the semi finals.
This is according to a statement released by COSAFA following draws held at the organisation headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.
COSAFA executive committee member and former South African Football Association (SAFA) president Molefi Oliphant conducted the draws together with the COSAFA secretary general Sue Destombes.
The last COSAFA Under-17 Championship was played in Zimbabwe in 2014 as part of the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games and saw Zambia defeat the hosts 3-0 in the final as Namibia finished third after defeating Malawi 2-1.
