Chipolopolo, Zimbabwe Set For COSAFA Group Stage Showdown

PIC CREDIT: FAZ MEDIA

Defending champions will yet again start their COSAFA Cup title defence from the preliminary stage and the hard way in Group B where nemesis Zimbabwe also lies in wait.

Durban will host the 2024 COSAFA Cup from June 26 to July 7.

The COSAFA Cup returns to Durban for a third successive season.

Durban has been Chipolopolo's favourite hunting ground where they have won back-to-back titles with Zambia's last visit there seeing them take back to Lusaka a record seventh regional championship crown.

Zambia are in Group B where a recent ghost from their tournament past awaits.

Chipolopolo has been drawn against Comoros and six-time champions Zimbabwe.

The fourth team to complete Group B will be advised presumably a guest team in the absence of 2023 red-hot side Malawi who fell to Lesotho at the semifinal stage.

Zimbabwe, who beat Zambia in the 2017 and 2018 COSAFA Cup finals, returns after missing the last editions due to a FIFA ban.

The three group winners and best overall runner-up from the 12-team tournament will advance to the semifinals.

The preliminary stage group fixtures will be played from June 26 to July 3 while the semifinals will take place on July 5.

Both the third-place playoff and final will be played on July 7.

GROUP A: South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Botswana

GROUP B: Comoros, Zimbabwe, Zambia, fourth team TBA

GROUP C: Lesotho, Angola, Seychelles, Namibia