EGYPT, UGANDA GAME IN COSAFA U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:20:53 +0000

By Michael Miyoba

THE Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has confirmed Egypt and Uganda as participants in the 2017 Men’s U-20 COSAFA Cup Championship which will run from December 6 to 16 in Kitwe.

COSAFA media officer Lynda Greeff, said Egypt and Uganda will play as guest teams.

In a statement issued to Daily Nation Sports the two countries will join another 10 Southern African teams in the tournament which will be hosted by defending champions Zambia.

Zambia beat South Africa 2-1 in last year’s final which was played at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg to lift the trophy.

“The 12 nations that will compete in the 2017 COSAFA Under-20 Championships to be staged in Zambia from December 6-16 have been confirmed with two exciting guest teams set to light up the regional showpiece event,

“North African powerhouse Egypt will be sending their crop of youngsters along with East African side Uganda, who have made great strides in senior football in the last few years,” said Greeff.

The draw for the first round group stages will be held next week with 12 teams to be placed in three pool each containing four sides.

The group winners will then advance to the semifinals along with the best runners-up,using the same format that was used during the COSAFA Women’s Championship that was held in September.

The matches will be played at the Arthur Davies and Nkana Stadium with the final anticipated to be played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The final 12 teams that will take part in this’s year’s Zambia under- 20 COSAFA championship include six-time winners Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and last year’s beaten finalists South Africa.

Angola, who have never lifted the trophy despite playing in four finals, Swaziland, guests Egypt and   Uganda will join host nation Zambia to complete the 12- team list that will compete at COSAFA youth championship.