National Sports

Zambia take over as U-20 Cosafa hosts

 

Zambia will host this year’s Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Under-20 Championship from December 1 to 10.

They replace Mozambique, who last week pulled out due to financial problems.

Malawi in action against Zambia at the 2016 Cosafa Cup

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) yesterday issued a press release signed by communications manager Desmond Katongo, saying the decision was made during a FAZ executive committee meeting held in Lusaka.

Cosafa deputy chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said Zambia had fulfilled all the requirements to host the competition.

“We expected the interested associations to get government approval in writing. We wanted hosting governments to be part and parcel of the tournament and Zambia has done that,” he said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda said the change will not affect Malawi’s preparations.

“In fact, it works to our advantage. Zambia is nearer than Mozambique. You have to fly to Johannesburg before connecting to Maputo, which is expensive than flying to Lusaka,” he said.

Zambia are the current Under-20 Cosafa champions. The junior Chipolopolo were crowned champions after beating South Africa in the final.

Malawi has failed to go past group stages in the last two editions of the tournament. n

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