TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON COSAFA Qualifiers get underway in Johannesburg
The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA Qualifiers officially get underway this afternoon in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Set take place at the University of Johannesburg between 04 – 14 December, the 12-nation youth competition will see the participating teams contesting the regional title as well as a place at next year’s TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Two places are reserved for the Southern African regional the winners and runners-up at next year’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Finals.
The 2025 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON finals will be mark the 19th edition of the tournament, with the inaugural competition dating back to the 1985 edition that was won by Congo Republic.
To date, no Southern African nation has lifted the title, with South Africa coming agonisingly close in 2015 when they were edged 2-0 by Mali in the finals who then went on to defend their title in 2017.
With the rise in competitiveness across the continent, the COSAFA qualifiers are set to be highly competitive and unpredictable, with all 12 participating nations having an equal opportunity of securing the two available U-17 AFCON places.
Lesotho and Angola will play the opening fixture on Wednesday when they clash at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Soweto Campus Stadium at 10h00 GMT. That will be followed by a second Group A fixture between Mozambique and Malawi at 15h00.
The following day sees the start of Group B fixtures, with Zimbabwe facing off against Eswatini, while Zambia takes on Namibia in a 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT) tie.
An interesting 13h00 GMT opener awaits Group C, as islanders Comoros face Mauritius in their opening match, with the hosts South Africa kicking off their campaign with a clash against Botswana in a simultaneous kick off
Zambia face Namibia at 15h00 at UJ AW Muller in Group B, while hosts South Africa clash with Botswana at the same time at UJ Soweto Campus.
TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON | COSAFA Qualifiers Groups:
Group A: Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique
Group B: Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Group C: Botswana, Comoros, Mauritius, South Africa