Bafana Bafana have learned the opponents they will face in the 2024 COSAFA Cup after the group stage draw on Friday.
The draw took place in Johannesburg and was streamed live on COSAFA socials. The 23rd edition of the competition will again be held in South Africa from Wednesday, June 26, to Sunday, July 7.
COSAFA will announce the venue and kickoff times in due course.
Last year’s edition was hosted at the King Zwelithini Stadium, KZN and was won by Chipolopolo of Zambia who successfully defended the title they won in 2022.
In 2023, Bafana coach Hugo Broos was a notable absentee, and SAFA appointed Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli as a stand-in coach. Under the guidance of coach Ramoreboli, the national team finished in third place after defeating Malawi 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate.
BAFANA BAFANA LEARN THEIR FATE IN 2024 COSAFA CUP
12 nations will take it to the field, eyeing nothing other than the coveted Southern African trophy.
Hosts South Africa, last year’s champions Zambia and Angola were the seeded teams. The teams were split in three groups of four sides, the three group winners and the best runners-up will then proceed to the semi-finals.
SA, the five-time COSAFA Cup winners, were placed in Group A. They were grouped alongside neighbouring countries Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana.
In the other two groups, the COSAFA Cup’s most successful team, Zambia, fell in Group B. They will take on Comoros, Zimbabwe and another team yet to be confirmed. Lastly, in Group C, there is Angola, Namibia, Lesotho and Seychelles.
Two nations, Madagascar and Mauritius, will not take part after they opted not to compete in the 2024 tournament.
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