WeeklySA_AdminCOSAFA QUALIFIER: Tournament hosts South Africa faces off with Zimbabwe tomorrow to decide top spot in the pool…
By WSAM Reporter
COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025 produced thrilling football on the first day of a packed programme at the Idas Valley Sports Complex in Stellenbosch today.
The Cosafa Qualifier (CAF African Schools Football Championship) features 10 teams who are battling it out for a place at the continental finals next year.
The qualifiers are now in their fourth year, with South Africa having been victorious in both the Boys and Girls competitions for the previous three editions. It will be fascinating to see if another power from the region can image to break their dominance. All matches are streamed live on CAF TV and COSAFA’s YouTube Channel.
The football competitions run from today through to the finals in the Boys and Girls competitions on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe took control of Group A in the Boys competition early today, with two victories as they defeated Mozambique (2-1) and Namibia (2-0) for a full haul of six points.
But they face a showdown with hosts South Africa tomorrow (Saturday) to decide top spot in the pool, with the latter having four points from their two games. That means a draw will be enough for Zimbabwe to advance to the semi-finals top of the pool. Mozambique held South Africa to a 1-1 draw and have a single point.
Zambia defeated eSwatini in their opening game in the three-team Group B, before the latter bounced back with a 3-0 win over Comoros. Zambia and Comoros meet on Saturday, with a draw enough for the current leaders.
Malawi defeated Lesotho 2-1 in their pool opener in Group C, before Botswana won 1-0 against Lesotho to eliminate the latter from the tournament. They cannot advance to the next round having completed their pool matches.
Girls Competition
South Africa completed a pair of wins in the Girls competition with a 4-1 victory over Namibia and a 4-0 success against Mozambique.
But Zimbabwe top the pool on goal difference after they defeated Mozambique 6-1 and Namibia 3-0.
They will face South Africa on Saturday for top spot, but again, a draw will be enough for Zimbabwe. Mozambique and Namibia are eliminated.
Zambia completed a 6-0 win over eSwatini in Group B, who then bounced back and claimed a 6-0 win themselves over Comoros. The latter meet Zambia on Saturday.
Malawi defeated Lesotho 5-0 in Group C, before the latter beat Botswana by the same scoreline in the second game of the day.
Winners’ Prize
The current (2024) holders of the continental title in the Boys’ competition are Tanzania, while the Girls’ champions are Ghana, who beat Uganda in the decider.
This prize money is to be used for infrastructure development at schools, and many have invested in educational and sporting aids for their learners.
The winners of the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier this year will receive USD 100 000 (R1,6 million), with the runners-up taking home USD 75 000 (R1,3m), and the bronze medallists getting USD 50 000 (R850 000).
BOYS FIXTURES/RESULTS
Group Stage
South Africa 1-0 Namibia – Group A
Zimbabwe 2-1 Mozambique – Group A
Zambia 4-1 Eswatini – Group B
Malawi 2-1 Lesotho – Group C
South Africa 1-1 Mozambique – Group A
Namibia 0-2 Zimbabwe – Group A
Eswatini 3-0 Comoros – Group B
Lesotho 0-1 Botswana – Group C
06/12, 09:00: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Group A
06/12, 09:00: Mozambique vs Namibia – Group A
06/12, 10:00: Zambia vs Comoros – Group B
06/12, 10:00: Malawi vs Botswana – Group C
Groups B & C Third-Place Crossover Play-Off
06/12, 13:00: 3rd Place Group B vs 3rd Place Group C
Groups A, B & C Second-Place Crossover Play-Off
06/12, 13:00: 2nd Place A/B/C vs 2nd Place A/B/C
Semi-finals
06/12, 14:00: Winner Group A vs Best 2nd
Place
06/12, 15:00: Winner Group B vs Winner Group C
Third-Place Play-Off
07/12, 10:00: Loser M15 vs Loser M16
Final
07/12, 12:00: Winner M15 vs Winner M16
GIRLS FIXTURES/RESULTS
Group Stages
South Africa 4-1 Namibia – Group A
Zimbabwe 6-1 Mozambique – Group A
Zambia 6-0 Eswatini – Group B
Malawi 5-0 Lesotho – Group C
South Africa 4-0 Mozambique – Group A
Namibia 0-3 Zimbabwe – Group A
Eswatini 6-0 Comoros – Group B
Lesotho 2-1 Botswana – Group C
06/12, 09:00: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Group A
06/12, 09:00: Mozambique vs Namibia – Group A
06/12, 10:00: Zambia vs Comoros – Group B
06/12, 10:00: Malawi vs Botswana – Group C
Groups B & C Third-Place Crossover Play-Off
06/12, 13:00: 3rd Place Group B vs 3rd Place Group C
Groups A, B & C Second-Place Crossover Play-Off
06/12, 13:00: Best 2nd Place A/B/C vs Best 2nd Place A/B/C
Semi-finals
06/12, 14:00: Winner Group A vs Best 2nd Place (Overall)
06/12, 15:00: Winner Group B vs Winner Group
Third-Place Play-Off
07/12, 09:00: Loser M15 vs Loser M16
Final
07/12, 11:00: Winner M15 vs Winner M16
