U-20 AFCON COSAFA QUALIFIERS FOR TOTAL - MAURITANIA 2021
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Guide to the
COSAFA Qualifiers
for TOTAL
U-20 AFCON
[ Mauritania 2021 ]
Nelson Mandela Bay December 3-13, 2020
POWERED BY
[ messages ]
MESSAGE FROM
COSAFA PRESIDENT
DR PHILLIP CHIYANGWA
It gives us great pleasure to
be able to host the COSAFA Men’s Under-20
Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay this year,
the first time this beautiful city has staged our
boys event in this age-group.
It is the continuation of a wonderful partnership
with the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality that
has already seen us host our COSAFA Women’s
Championship tournament in the Friendly City
for the last three years, the Women’s Under-20
and Under-17 competitions in 2019 and 2020
respectively, and most recently the COSAFA Men’s
Under-17 Championship.
This will be the fourth tournament in a period
of around six weeks, which has created a great
logistical puzzle, but as ever we have been up for
the challenge and I have no doubt our team will It is also pleasing to see that we are able to host
deliver another world-class event. our age-group tournaments annually now, giving
Of course, we are just delighted to be staging junior players a vital chance to test themselves at
any competitions at all in this most difficult of the international level against their peers.
years which has seen the COVID-19 pandemic After a period when this tournament was
wreak havoc with our football calendar. hosted sporadically, this will be the fifth year in a
It is a testament to the willingness and foresight row it has been staged, in South Africa in 2016,
of our partners in the Nelson Mandela Bay and then Zambia from 2017-2019.
municipality, and the hard work of our team of Our mandate at COSAFA is to develop the
organisers, that we will have staged four of our six game on and off the pitch and this experience
tournaments by the end of December, when just for players, coaches, match officials and
a few months ago it looked as though we might administrators will be invaluable in helping them
have none. gain knowledge and expertise.
Much planning has gone into these events, with It is by hosting and organising tournaments such
strict COVID-19 measures in place to safeguard as these that we see skills improve in all areas, as
the players, technical teams, match officials and there is nothing better than hands-on experience
administrators. These measures are all part of the to gain knowledge.
‘new normal’ that we now live with. It will be fascinating to see who can claim the
This 2020 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 tournament trophy this year with a fantastic field of teams,
will have added significance of course as it serves including defending champions Zambia.
as a zonal qualifier for the 2021 CAF Africa I am sure the football will be entertaining and it
Under-20 Cup of Nations that is scheduled for is always exciting to catch a glimpse of the stars of
Mauritania. tomorrow.
The coveted regional trophy is enough of a prize We must extend our gratitude to the South
to fight for, but there will now be the added carrot African Football Association, who will be our
of continental qualification as well, with the two excellent hosts in Nelson Mandela Bay.
teams that reach the final able to celebrate this SAFA has played a big role in helping us put on
success. these four tournaments and we remain grateful
We wish all the teams well in this regard and for their assistance in all aspects, including
know that whoever does go on to represent this implementing their world-class COVID-19 safety
region at the Afcon finals will do so with pride. measures.
[ messages ]
MESSAGE FROM SAFA PRESIDENT
DR DANNY JORDAAN
The COSAFA to the Nelson Mandela Bay junior tournaments.
Men’s Under-20 once more, I would like to Once you have the basics
Championship that will urge all countries to seize this right, the rest will take care of
run from December 3-13 is a opportunity and build solid themselves.
vital competition on the CAF junior sides to compete, not It is time Africa dominate
calendar. only on the continent but to the game and it starts with
The tournament will now make African teams global development sides.
run as a zonal qualifier for the giants again. I would like to take this
CAF Under-20 Cup of Nations Of late, Africa has lagged opportunity to welcome
tournament. behind in almost all of the everyone including those
The Nelson Mandela Bay has national teams and this was running the competition.
of late become the hub of most underscored by all of the five I would also like to thank
important football activities nations at the 2018 FIFA World the NMB for their continued
and the U20 competition is the Cup in Russia being eliminated support of the game because
last of four COSAFA events held in the first round. without willing partners, the
in the city since the start of We need to do some soul game won’t progress to where
November. searching as a continent and the we want it to be.
As we welcome the region starting point definitely is the Good luck!
MESSAGE FROM
NELSON MANDELA
BAY MUNICIPALITY
INTERIM EXECUTIVE
MAYOR,
CLLR THSONONO HOW TO FOLLOW THE
BUYEYE 2020 COSAFA ACTION!
There are a number of ways you can keep
It gives me great Without question, we regard
up with the action in the 2020 COSAFA
pleasure to welcome the COSAFA as a crucial portal
the COSAFA Men’s Under-20 for exposure and an opportunity tournaments, be it live action, news, views
Championship to the City of to raise our public relations bar a or videos!
Nelson Mandela Bay. notch higher.
We express our appreciation It is indeed an opportunity ❖ Go to our website: www.cosafa.com
to the COSAFA, SAFA and for all of us to increase our
partners for choosing the Nelson awareness of the magnitude of
❖ Follow us on Twitter: @COSAFAMEDIA
Mandela Bay as host city for this junior soccer and knowledge
exciting championships’, and of this event, whilst instilling
for the hard work in making it a confidence and building positive
❖ Like our Facebook page:
reality at a time when the world images to our public and the www.facebook.com/COSAFAMEDIA/
is devastated by the COVID-19 world.
pandemic. As the Nelson Mandela Bay, ❖ Find us on Instagram:
Given the fact that we are we are honoured to welcome
resuming all activities after the COSAFA and all the www.instagram.com/cosafafootball/
such a big gap that we had to participating SADC nations to the
take in our sports, we do not city. We urge you to spread the ❖ Check us out on TikTok: @cosafamedia
take lightly to the fact that by message to your home public
competing you still put your lives that we in the Nelson Mandela ❖ Head to COSAFA TV: www.cosafa.tv
at risk every time you meet with Bay are most welcoming to our
people. African brothers and sisters.
HISTORY OF THE COSAFA MEN'S UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP The 2020 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 benefitted from the exposure they got to top Championships will be the latest level competition. installment of the vital regional tournament From a South African perspective, the that has been a breeding ground for so much likes of Itumeleng Khune, Lerato Chabangu, Southern African talent down the years. Daine Klate, Elrio van Heerden and Lebohang The competition will also act as a zonal Mokoena all represented their country at this qualifier for the 2021 Africa Under-20 Cup level and gone on to forge successful club and of Nations, with the two finalists set to international careers. advance to the continental showpiece that is Other young stars such as Clifford Mulenga scheduled for Mauritania. and Isaac Chansa (both Zambia), Tinashe Zambia will be retain the title they won Nengomasha and Onismor Bhasera (both last year on home soil, as fans get to see Zimbabwe), as well as Jimmy Zakazaka potentially a new batch of young stars from (Malawi), have used the tournament to the Southern African region. persuade clubs outside of their country that In that regard, the COSAFA Men’s Under-20 they have a bright future in the game. Championship is vital and has played its part The tournament was first played in 1983, in developing some of the brightest stars from but was a little-recognised get-together of a the region in its many guises down the years. few of the stalwarts of the region, including Running through the list of past stars to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. grace the finals, it reads like a Who’s Who The Apartheid practices of South Africa at of Southern African football and all will have the time meant they were excluded, and the
MOST WINS
PREVIOUS 11 8 6 1
WINNERS Zambia South Africa Zimbabwe Madagascar
1983 Zambia
1985 Zimbabwe
1986 Zambia
1988 Zimbabwe
1990 Zimbabwe
1993 Zambia
1995 Zambia
1997 Zambia
1999 Zambia
2000 South Africa
2001 Zimbabwe
2002 Zimbabwe
2003 Zambia
2004 South Africa
2005 Madagascar country only entered the fray for the first extending their winning streak to three with
time in 1993. success in both.
2006 South Africa
Those early years were dominated by They added an 11th title in 2016 when
2007 Zimbabwe the ‘Two Zs’, with Zambia winning six they romped through the competition,
and Zimbabwe three of the first nine defeating hosts South Africa 2-1 in the final.
2008 South Africa tournaments held. South Africa regained the trophy in 2017
South Africa were the first team to break though after Zambia surprisingly exited in
2009 South Africa the mould when they triumphed in 2000, the pool stages.
having been losing finalists in 1995 and And they won again in 2018, this time
2010 Zambia 1999. defeated Zimbabwe in the final after a tense
A year earlier, in 1999, they had taken over penalty shoot-out.
2011 Zambia the hosting of the event, which before then But Zambia are always in contention and
had been spread around the region. Each they fairly romped to the title on home soil
2013 South Africa tournament up until 2009 was held in the in 2019, defeating old enemy South Africa
Rainbow Nation, but the winners were less 3-0 in the decider to complete an excellent
2016 Zambia easy to predict. tournament.
Madagascar became only the fourth But more than lifting the trophy, the
2017 South Africa country to win the event when they comeptition is about developing the talent
surprisingly triumphed in 2005, beating of tomorrow and giving young players the
2018 South Africa
shock finalists Lesotho 1-0 in the final. chance to tackle their peers in a highly-
2019 Zambia Before Lesotho three years ago, the competitive environment that should help
previous two installments, in 2010 and 2011, to prepare them for the challenges of senior
were hosted by Botswana, with Zambia international football.
TEAM-BY-TEAM GUIDE
TO THE COSAFA
MEN’S UNDER-20
CHAMPIONSHIP
There are 11 exciting sides that will take part in the
2020 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay,
South Africa from December 3-13.
Here is a brief guide to all of them!
teams ANGOLA Angola will be hoping to make make their way to Portugal and history when they compete other parts of Europe. at the 2020 COSAFA Men’s They have appeared at the Under-20 Championships. finals of the African Under-20 The country have never tasted Championships on six previous success in the junior version of occasions and were champions the regional championship, this in 2001 when they defeated despite some excellent success Ghana in the finals that were in the COSAFA Cup senior played in Ethiopia. competition. That team had the likes of BOTSWANA They have appeared in four Gilberto and Mantorras, who The Young Zebras have been where a 5-0 loss to hosts and finals though, losing three in a would go on to have stellar regular participants in the eventual champions Zambia row between 2000 and 2002, senior careers. COSAFA Men’s Under-20 was followed by a draw with and then again in 2011 when Their other five appearances Championships despite missing Malawi (2-2) and a win over they went down 2-1 to Zambia. at the continental showpiece the tournament in 2017 and Comoros (2-1). After finishing fourth in 2016, have been less successful, still seek a first ever trip to the The side have never qualified Angola disappointed by their all ending in exits before the final. for the Africa Under-20 own high standards in 2017 knockout stages. Their last Botswana’s best finishes in Championships, which will be when they picked up just a single appearance was all the. way this competition came in 2009 a target of theirs in the coming point from their three games to back in 2005. and 2011 when they managed years. finish bottom of Group C. third place. They finished third in 2018, FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS First they beat Madagascar FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS reaching the semifinals as 1999 Did not enter 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 1999 Group stages runners-up in Group C, but then 2000 Runners-up draw in the bronze-medal play- 2000 Group stages lost 1-0 to eventual winners 2001 Runners-up off in 2009. The Young Zebras 2001 Group stages South Africa in the semifinals. 2002 Runners-up had made it through their pool, 2002 Group stages The team claimed the bronze 2003 Group stages but lost 3-0 to South Africa in 2003 Group stages medal though with a 2-1 success 2004 Fourth the semifinals. 2004 Group stages over home side Zambia. 2005 Group stages They then hosted in 2011 2005 Group stages And it would be a repeat in 2006 Group stages and this time lost to Zambia in 2006 Group stages 2019 as they waltzed through 2007 Group stages the semifinals before beating 2007 Group stages their group with three wins, 2008 Third Malawi to bronze. 2008 Group stages including 8-0 versus Seychelles, 2009 Group stages In 2016 the side lost all three 2009 Third but lost 3-0 to Zambia in the 2010 Group stages of their pool games without 2010 Group stages semifinals. The consolation was 2011 Runners-up scoring a goal, while in 2018 2011 Third a 5-1 victory over Madagascar in 2013 Third they claimed four points from 2013 Group stages the bronze medal match. 2016 Fourth three games with a victory over 2016 Group stages Angola have always been 2017 Group stages Lesotho, a draw with Angola 2017 Did not enter known as a fine producer of 2018 Third and defeat to Zimbabwe. 2018 Group stages young talent, many of whom 2019 Third It was the same in 2019, 2019 Group stages
teams
COMOROS ISLANDS
Comoros Islands made a return to the
COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship
last year for the first time since 2016, and ESWATINI
now celebrate 13 years since their debut Eswatini will be hoping to It was a similar story in
at this age-group level. make a big impression at 2018 when they played in a
The team made their bow in 2007 this year’s COSAFA Men’s shortened three-team group,
when they exited in the first round, and Under-20 Championships but successive 4-0 losses to
were set to play in 2009, but withdrew having exited the competition Mauritius and South Africa saw
from the event. in the first round for the last 14 them exit in the first round.
It was a similar story in 2010 when the tournaments. Their best finish was third
side did not participate, and it was only in They came close last year, place all the way back in 1985
2016 when they made their return to the earning six points in their pool, when the country hosted the
competition. but not enough to see them competition.
They made a comeback in Zambia last through as the best runner-up They made it to within
year, but lost all three games to Malawi (4- behind winners Angola. touching distance of the Last 8
0), Zambia (2-0) and Botswana (2-1). A 2-0 in over Mozambique in the 1983 African Under-20
They have never before qualified for the was followed by success Championships, but withdrew
Africa Under-20 Championships, no doubt against Seychelles by the same after losing the first leg 5-1 to
a target for them in the near future. scoreline. But a 4-1 defeat at Zimbabwe.
the hands of Angola meant they
FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS missed out on the semifinals, FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS
1999 Did not enter even if their performances were 1999 Group stages
2000 Did not enter vastly improved. 2000 Group stages
2001 Did not enter In fact, they did not win a 2001 Group stages
2002 Did not enter match at the COSAFA Under-20 2002 Quarterfinals
2003 Did not enter Championships between 2004 2003 Group stages
2004 Did not enter and 2016, a record they finally 2004 Group stages
2005 Did not enter put right when they beat 2005 Group stages
2006 Did not enter Botswana 2-0 four years ago. 2006 Group stages
2007 Group stages That was still not enough to 2007 Group stages
2008 Group stages advance to the knockout stages 2008 Group stages
2009 Did not enter though as they suffered defeats 2009 Group stages
2010 Did not enter to South Africa and Lesotho later 2010 Group stages
2011 Did not enter on in the competition. 2011 Group stages
2013 Group stages They also did not manage 2013 Group stages
2016 Group stages a win in 2017, with a draw 2016 Group stages
2017 Did not enter against East African guest nation 2017 Group stages
2018 Did not enter Uganda sandwiched by defeats 2018 Group stages
2019 Group stages to Malawi and hosts Zambia. 2019 Group stages
teams LESOTHO Lesotho’s Under-20 side have Lesotho have also made the excelled in the past having final of the COSAFA Under-20 MALAWI qualified for the African Youth Championships before, in Malawi finished a credible The side last made it out Championships in 2011, just 2005, when they lost 1-0 to fourth in the COSAFA Men’s of their group nine years ago, their second ever appearance at Madagascar. Under-20 Championships but lost 4-2 to Angola in the the tournament. They are a nation that often tournament in Botswana in semifinals and were then beaten And they did not disgrace punches above their weight 2011 having not played in the 1-0 by hosts Botswana in the themselves at the continental and also finished second in the previous two installments of the third-place play-off. They did showpiece event in South Africa 1990 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 competition, and then did not manage third in 1986. either, claiming a draw against Championship, as well as third appear again in 2013. Malawi have qualified eventual semifinalists Mali and (1995, 1999) and fourth (2003). They returned in 2016, but for the African Under-20 losing narrowly to South Africa Lesotho also reached the could not make it past the first Championships on one occasion, and Egypt. quarterfinals of the Africa round, as a draw and a loss finishing in the group stages in Lesotho narrowly missed Under-20 Championship in meant they finished second in Ethiopia in 1999 when they lost out on the knockout stages in 1989, to go with their group their three-team pool. all three games. the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 stages exits in 2005 and 2011. They came closer in 2017, Championships after two wins gaining five points, but missing and a loss in the pool phase out on top spot in their pool on meant they finished second in FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS goal-difference to Uganda. FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS their group. 1999 Third There was more frustration 1999 Group stages But they did much better 2000 Quarterfinals in 2018 as the side finished 2000 Fourth in 2017, topping Group C and 2001 Group stages bottom of their pool with just a 2001 Quarterfinals beating East African guest nation 2002 Group stages single point from three games 2002 Quarterfinals Uganda in the semifinals, before 2003 Fourth after losses to Zambia and 2003 Runners-up narrowly going down 2-1 to 2004 Group stages DR Congo, and a draw with 2004 Group stages South Africa in the decider. 2005 Runners-up Mozambique. 2005 Group stages They found the going tougher 2006 Group stages They improved in Zambia in 2006 Fourth in 2018 when they managed just 2007 Group stages 2019, beating Comoros (4-0) in 2007 Group stages a point from their three games 2008 Group stages their opener, but a draw with 2008 Group stages after losses to Zimbabwe and 2009 Group stages Botswana (2-2) and a loss to the 2009 Did not enter Botswana, having opened with a 2010 Group stages hosts (2-1) meant they did not 2010 Did not enter draw against Angola. 2011 Group stages advance. 2011 Fourth It was the same story in 2019 2013 Group stages Malawi have yet to win the 2013 Did not enter as losses to Madagascar (3-0) 2016 Group stages regional showpiece competition, 2016 Group stages and South Africa (4-0) came 2017 Runners-up but did reach the final in 2003 2017 Group stages either side of a 2-2 draw with 2018 Group stages when they lost out to Zambia in 2018 Group stages Mauritius. 2019 Group stages the decider. 2019 Group stages
teams MOZAMBIQUE Mozambique are still searching over Seychelles (3-2) in 2019, to for their first-ever COSAFA Men’s go with losses to Eswatini (2-0) Under-20 Championships title and Angola (1-0). having been beaten finalists in Mozambique may well feel 2008. that with their pool of talent They lost to then hosts South back home, which has always Africa on that occasion but will been substantial, they should be hoping to go one better this have won the competition by time round after disappointingly now – or at least advanced NAMIBIA losing out in the first round past the pool stages on more Namibia were in many ways Their previous showing was of the event in the last eight occasions. the surprise-package of the in the 2017 competition when installments. They reached the 2010 COSAFA Under-20 they beat Angola 1-0 in their They did narrowly miss the quarterfinals of the African Championships, making it all the opener, but then lost to Lesotho semifinals in Botswana in 2011, Under-20 Championship in way to the final before losing out (2-1) and drew with Zimbabwe the hosts just pipping them on 1989, but have not played in the to Zambia. (0-0) to exit in the first round. goal-difference in a three-team competition proper since. Some of the football that pool that also included Eswatini. they displayed was simply And in 2016 they finished FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS outstanding and players such FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS their three-team pool with two 1999 Group stages as captain Sydney Urikhob have 1999 Group stages draws and so lost out to Central 2000 Quarterfinals gone on to play in South Africa’s 2000 Quarterfinals African guest nation DR Congo 2001 Quarterfinals PSL. 2001 Quarterfinals for a place in the knockout 2002 Quarterfinals It was their best ever result in 2002 Quarterfinals stages. 2003 Group stages the tournament, beating their 2003 Group stages In 2017 they returned home 2004 Group stages semifinal showing in 2007, but 2004 Group stages early with a single win and two 2005 Group stages they could not repeat the feat 2005 Group stages defeats, though they were in 2006 Group stages when they competed in 2013. 2006 Group stages a tough pool with eventual 2007 Group stages There they managed five 2007 Fourth champions South Africa and 2008 Runners-up points from a possible nine to 2008 Group stages North African guest nation Egypt. 2009 Group stages finish second in their first round 2009 Group stages They were unbeaten in 2018 2010 Group stages pool behind the powerful South 2010 Runners-up with a victory over DR Congo, 2011 Group stages Africans. 2011 Group stages and draws with Malawi and 2013 Group stages Namibia did not compete 2013 Group stages Zambia, but there five points 2016 Group stages in the last COSAFA Under-20 2016 Did not enter were not enough to put them 2017 Group stages Championships held in South 2017 Group stages into the next round. 2018 Group stages Africa in 2016, nor in 2018 and 2018 Did not enter They managed a single win 2019 Group stages 2019. 2019 Did not enter
teams SOUTH AFRICA South Africa have traditionally for that with a run all the way to They could not make it a hat- FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS been one of the powerhouses in the gold medal in 2017. trick of titles though as they lost 1999 Runners-up the region in Under-20 football After topping their pool with a 3-0 in the 2019 final to Zambia. 2000 Winners and will be looking to regain the full haul of nine points, ‘Amajita’ They managed seven points 2001 Fourth crown they lost to Zambia in edged North African guest nation in their first round pool and 2002 Third 2019. Egypt 1-0 in the semifinals. then edged Madagascar 5-4 2003 Third They have claimed the That set up a decider with on penalties in the semifinals 2004 Winners competition eight times in all, Lesotho and South African following a 2-2 draw. They 2005 Fourth with their first title coming in emerged as 2-1 winners to take had also drawn 1-1 with the 2006 Winners 2000. They also hosted the home the trophy. Malagasy in pool play. 2007 Runners-up tournament for 11 consecutive They repeated that triumph The side have qualified 2008 Winners years between 1999 and 2009. in 2018, topping their shortened for the Africa Under-20 2009 Winners They went all the way to the pool with victories over Mauritius Championships on eight 2010 Group stages final on home soil in 2016, playing and Eswatini, before a 1-0 win previous occasions, winning 2011 Group stages some scintillating football, but lost over Angola in the semifinals. the silver medal in 1997. They 2013 Winners out to Zambia in the decider with That set up a final with old foes finished third in 2019, and also 2016 Runners-up a 2-1 defeat. Zimbabwe and after the match have two fourth-place finishes 2017 Winners That was seen as a major finished 1-1, South Africa claimed (2009 and 2017). 2018 Winners disappointment, but they atoned the penalty shoot-out 4-3. 2019 Runners-up
teams ZAMBIA Zambia are the most successful 2-1 to Zimbabwe and were then ZIMBABWE nation in the COSAFA Under-20 beaten 2-1 by Angola in the Zimbabwe will make a return They med South Africa in Championship competition with bronze-medal match. to the COSAFA Under-20 the decider, but lost 4-3 on 11 victories in all, their last win They will now seek to extend Championships in 2019 having penalties after a 0-0 draw. coming on home soil in 2019. their record tally of 11 regional established themselves as a The carrot being dangled It was a commanding titles, three more than South regional powerhouse down the in front of the Zimbabwean performance from the side, who Africa, and perhaps set a path years. players are the number of claimed a full haul of nine points to another Africa Under-20 The Young Warriors side scouts from mostly South in the pool stages, before seeing Championship appearance. has been amongst the most African clubs who will be at off Angola 3-0 in the semifinals. They have appeared at the successful teams in the history the tournament to look out That was followed by victory tournament on seven previous of the competition with six for new talent from a country against old foe South Africa by occasions and apart from their wins in all, the last coming in that has a long history of the same comprehensive margin gold medal in 2017, they also 2007 when they beat hosts sending quality players to play in the decider. finished fourth in 1991, 1999 South Africa 3-0 to record a in the South African league. Zambia were also rampant in and 2007. comprehensive final win. 2016 as they stormed through They surprisingly did not fare that competition and inflicted a FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS well in South Africa in 2016 FINISHES IN LAST 21 YEARS 2-1 defeat on their hosts South 1999 Winners though, going out in the first 1999 Third Africa in the decider. 2000 Quarterfinals round with 5-1 loss to Zambia, 2000 Third They went on to claim 2001 Third followed by a 0-0 draw with 2001 Winners the 2017 Africa Under-20 2002 Fourth Malawi. They missed out on 2002 Winners Championships title on home 2003 Winners the semifinals in 2017 based 2003 Group stages soil, and also excelled at the FIFA 2004 Runners-up on goals scored, with 0-0 draws 2004 Third Under-20 World Cup in South 2005 Third against Lesotho and Namibia 2005 Group stages Korea in May last year. 2006 Runners-up either side of a win over Angola. 2006 Third But the side disappointed in 2007 Group stages But as Lesotho had scored 2007 Winners the COSAFA Men’s Under-20 2008 Group stages one more goal than them in the 2008 Fourth Championship on home soil in 2009 Runners-up pool stages, they advanced as 2009 Group stages 2017, bowing out in the first 2010 Winners the top team in the pool. 2010 Third round after a defeat to East 2011 Winners Zimbabwe fared much better 2011 Group stages African guest nation Uganda was 2013 Group stages in 2018 though, they finished 2013 Fourth followed by a draw with Malawi 2016 Winners top of their pool with six points 2016 Group stages and a win over Eswatini. 2017 Group stages from a possible nine, and then 2017 Group stages They did make the semifinals 2018 Fourth surprised Zambia 2-1 in the 2018 Runners-up on home soil in 2018, but lost 2019 Winners semifinals. 2019 Did not enter
stats
2020 COSAFA
MEN’S UNDER-20
CHAMPIONSHIPS
IN NUMBERS
After the successful hosting of the
championships in the last three years, the
tournament moves away from Zambia, but here
are some numbers around the competition
that has a rich 37-year history.
0 4 11
– No nation – Zambia have – The number
from the won four of the of titles won
COSAFA region last seven COSAFA by Zambia, the
has managed to lift the African Men’s Under-20 Championships most successful nation in the
Under-17 Championship in the played, with only South Africa history of the COSAFA Under-20
past. breaking their run in 2013, 2017 Championships.
and 2018.
1 11
– Zambia were – The number
4
the top side in – Only four of years in a
2019 as they defeated nations have row that South
South Africa 3-0 in the decider, won the Africa hosted the event between
a handsome and well-deserved COSAFA Under-20 1999 and 2009.
victory. Championships – Zambia
11
9
(11 times), South Africa (8), – The number
2
– The highest finish for Zimbabwe (6) and Madagascar (1). of teams who
any guest nation will compete
4
was the silver – Zambia hold the record in this year’s COSAFA Under-20
medal Kenya won in 2013 for the most title Championships – Angola,
when they lost 2-0 to South wins in a row, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini,
Africa in the final. four, in the championship that Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,
were played between 1993 and Namibia, South Africa, Zambia
3
– Angola lost 1999. and Zimbabwe. The most
three finals in number
6 19
a row between – Angola’s Ambrosini – The number
2000 and 2002. They made the Salvador of matches of goals
deciding match in 2011 but lost finished top- that will be played scored in a
once more. They have yet to win scorer at the 2019 COSAFA at this year’s COSAFA Men’s single final
the regional title. Men’s Under-20 Championships Under-20 Championships.
with six goals.
– South Africa
3 81
– This year’s – The number of defeated Zambia
8
COSAFA Under-20 – The biggest goals scored at 5-4 in 2004!
Championships will victory in last year’s the 2019 COSAFA
kick-off on December competition was an 8-0 Men’s Under-20 Championships
3, with the final to be staged 10 success for Angola over Seychelles. in 22 games, almost four per
days later on the 13th. match!teams
COSAFA MEN’S
UNDER-20
CHAMPIONSHIP
STARTS
JOURNEY TO
WORLD CUP
One exciting feature of ANGOLA
this year’s COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Qualified (6): 1983, 1985, 1989,
Championship will be the fact that it 1999, 2001, 2005
doubles up as a zonal qualifier for the Best finish: Winners (2001)
2021 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations
that is scheduled to be hosted in ESWATINI
Mauritania. Qualified (1): 1983
Previously teams have used the Best finish: First round (1983)
regional Under-20 championship
to fine-tune for qualifiers for the LESOTHO
continental showpiece, but now it will Qualified (3): 1989, 2005, 2011
take up that status on its own, with the Best finish: Group Stages (2005,
two finalists both earning a place in the 2011)
competition.
The Under-20 Cup of Nations will in MALAWI
turn provide qualification for the 2021 Qualified (1): 1999
FIFA Under-20 World Cup, meaning the Best finish: Group Stages (1999)
COSAFA even this year is the beginning
of that journey. MAURITIUS
It is no surprise that South Africa’s Qualified (3): 1979, 1993, 1995
success in reaching the last two FIFA Best finish: Group Stages (1993,
Under-20 World Cups in 2017 and 1995)
2019 is off the back of them winning
the COSAFA title in 2017 and 2018. MOZAMBIQUE
Nine of the 14 COSAFA nations have Qualified (1): 1987
qualified for the continental finals Best finish: Quarterfinals (1987)
in the past, with Angola (2001) and
Zambia (2017) the only ones to win SOUTH AFRICA
gold. Qualified (8): 1997, 2001, 2003,
South Africa were runners-up in 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019
1997 and also won the bronze medal in Best finish: Runners-up (1997)
2019, the only other Southern African
side to finish in the top three. ZAMBIA
The four semi-finalists at the Qualified (9): 1985, 1987, 1991,
Under-20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania 1995, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2015,
will book a place in the World Cup. 2017
Best finish: Winners (2017)
Here is a rundown of how the
COSAFA teams have fared at the Africa ZIMBABWE
Under-20 Cup of Nations, taking into Qualified (3): 1981, 1983, 1985
account it was played as a knockout Best finish: Quarterfinals (1983,
competition until 1991: 1985)FOLLOW THE
COSAFA MEN’S
UNDER-20
CHAMPIONSHIPFATV!
ON COSA
LIVE
Fans are in for treat with the news that the
COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship will be
streamed live from Nelson Mandela Bay when
the tournament is played from December 3-13!
Those from around the world who want to follow
the action will be able to do so live on COSAFA.TV,
where they will be able to stream the matches on
their Phones, Tablets and Computers.
It means the tournament will be available
across the globe for fans and scouts to
view the best of the up-and-coming talent
in the COSAFA region, as eight teams try to
lift the trophy in this age-group.
The match action will be available at
www.cosafa.tv or via www.cosafa.com,
where you can check the homepage or click
on the COSAFA.TV tab.
COSAFA TV is an important part of our offering
to ensure that fans always have access to
not only live matches, but news snippets,
interviews and highlights.
Matches can also be followed via live text coverage on our Twitter account @COSAFAMEDIAteams
WHO HAVE BEEN
the TOP SIDES
IN RECENT
COSAFA UNDER-20
CHAMPIONSHIPS?
The COSAFA the 2020 competition are
Men’s Under-20 Angola, Botswana, Comoros,
Championships have been Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi,
played annually over the last four Mozambique, Namibia, South
years, which is enough time to Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
give us a sizeable sample of who In all there have been 18
have been the top performing different competitors in the
teams in the competition since last four years, including all 14
2016. members of COSAFA, as well as
Since then, there have been guest nations Egypt, DR Congo,
two trophy wins each for South Uganda and Sudan.
Africa and Zambia, so it is not
surprising then to see them top
of the ‘table’ for results in this COMBINED TEAM RECORDS FROM THE
time. LAST FOUR COSAFA UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
The table is calculated on the number of wins, then the number of draws and finally goal-difference.
South Africa have 14 wins to
13 for Zambia, but have played a TEAM P W D L GF GA GD
game more, while they also lead
the way on goals scored with South Africa 19 14 3 2 47 11 36
47, comfortably the most in the Zambia 18 13 2 3 38 11 27
competition.
Zambia are next with 38 goals Angola 18 8 5 5 32 17 15
and Angola 32, the only teams to
Zimbabwe 10 4 4 2 12 12 0
have passed the 30-mark.
South Africa have the highest Lesotho 14 3 5 6 9 21 -12
win percentage at 73.68, with
Zambia (72.22) next and Angola DR Congo* 8 3 2 3 8 7 1
(44.44) third of teams who Egypt* 5 3 0 2 7 4 3
have played more than one
tournament. Zimbabwe (40.00) Mozambique 12 3 4 5 10 13 -3
are in fourth. Eswatini 11 3 1 7 12 22 -10
Teams who will want to
work on this statistic include Malawi 12 2 5 5 13 15 -2
Malawi (16.67), Mauritius
Mauritius 11 2 3 6 11 25 -14
(18.18), Lesotho (21.43) and
Mozambique (25.00). Botswana 9 2 2 5 4 18 -14
South Africa have only lost two
matches in the competition since Madagascar 5 2 2 1 9 9 0
2016, last year’s final when they Uganda* 5 1 3 1 6 6 0
were thumped 3-0 by Zambia,
and the 2016 decider when they Sudan* 3 1 1 1 6 2 4
lost 2-1 to the same opposition. Namibia 3 1 1 1 2 2 0
Overall, there have been 231
goals scored in the 87 matches Comoros 5 0 1 4 3 12 -9
played, a healthy average of 2.66
Seychelles 6 0 0 6 2 24 -22
goals per game.
The 11 sides who will contest *Invited guestsplayers
PAST COSAFA
UNDER-20 STARS
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
The COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship has been played every year since
2016 after a period when it was on and off the football calendar.
It continues to churn out a steady stream of new stars for the senior national
teams, as evidenced by the leading scorers from the past four editions.
We take a look at where they are now ahead of the 2020 edition.
2016
Luther Singh
South Africa
5 goals
Singh could not fire 2017
2018
South Africa to the Muhammad
Lyle Foster
title in 2016 but has Shaban
made good progress in South Africa
Uganda 2019
his career and is now Delic Murimba
an established part 4 goals Ambrosini
Zimbabwe
of the Bafana Bafana Shaban is also Salvador
squad. now a full Uganda 5 goals
At the time he was Foster is another star on the
Angola
international and
at Swedish second- also had a spell at top rise and currently plies his 6 goals
tier side GAIS, but Moroccan side Raja trade with Vitoria Guimaraes Viewed as the next
has since moved to Casablanca in the in the Portuguese league, wonderkid from the
Sporting Braga in the 2018-19 season. who he joined from French region, striker Salvador
Portuguese league. To be fair, he had Ligue 1 Monaco ahead of the was the subject of a
He has only played already been named campaign. bid from Brazilian side
for the ‘B’ side to date 2016 FUFA Footballer The 20-year-old is also Gremio recently that
there, but has had of the Year before spent last season on loan at was quickly batted away
successful loan spells his arrival at the Belgium club Cercle Brugge, by current club Primeiro
at top-flight sides COSAFA tournament and featured for Monaco’s first de Agosto.
Chaves, Moreirense for the guest nation, team. He is also a part of the Primeiro have placed
and this season Paços so it was perhaps new generation coming through a US$5-million release
de Ferreira, where he no surprise that he at Bafana Bafana. clause in the contract of
is a regular. exceled. Murimba is perhaps the 18-year-old, who is
Now 23, he has a He is currently with surprisingly still in Zimbabwe surely destined for big
bright fixture in the Vipers in Uganda, with Triangle United, though things and could return
game and will hope to and was previously he did have trials with top to represent Angola
help South Africa to also linked with top South African side Mamelodi in this year’s COSAFA
the next Africa Cup of South African club Sundowns last year. He has also Men’s Under-20
Nations finals. Orlando Pirates. attracted interest from China. Championships.2020 cosafa men's under-20 championship
fixtures
POOL STAGES
DATE KO GROUP FIXTURE VENUE
03-Dec 12h30 A Mozambique vs Lesotho Wolfson Stadium
03-Dec 15h30 A South Africa vs Zimbabwe Wolfson Stadium
04-Dec 12h30 B Malawi vs Comoros Wolfson Stadium
04-Dec 15h30 B Zambia vs Namibia Wolfson Stadium
04-Dec 15h30 C Angola vs Eswatini Gelvandale Stadium
06-Dec 12h30 A Mozambique vs Zimbabwe Wolfson Stadium
06-Dec 15h30 A Lesotho vs South Africa Wolfson Stadium
06-Dec 15h30 C Botswana vs Angola Gelvandale Stadium
07-Dec 12h30 B Comoros vs Zambia Wolfson Stadium
07-Dec 15h30 B Namibia vs Malawi Wolfson Stadium
08-Dec 12h30 C Eswatini vs Botswana Wolfson Stadium
08-Dec 15h30 A South Africa vs Mozambique Wolfson Stadium
08-Dec 15h30 A Zimbabwe vs Lesotho Gelvandale Stadium
09-Dec 15h30 B Zambia vs Malawi Wolfson Stadium
09-Dec 15h30 B Namibia vs Comoros Gelvandale Stadium
SEMIFINALS
11-Dec 12h00 16 Winner Grp B vs Best Runner-up Wolfson Stadium
11-Dec 15h30 17 Winner Grp A vs Winner Grp C Wolfson Stadium
THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
13-Dec 12h00 18 Loser M19 vs Loser M20 Wolfson Stadium
FINAL
13 December 2020 | 15h00 | Match 19
Winner Match 16
vs
Winner Match 17
Wolfson StadiumYou can also read
