Defending champions South Africa have been drawn with debutants Comoros Islands in their pool at the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship that will be staged in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality from July 31-August 11.
The draw was one of two made at COSAFA House in Johannesburg on Wednesday, with the pools for the inaugural COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championship to be played in the same city from August 1-11 also drawn.
South Africa, who have dominated the senior regional competition in the past with five wins in six finals, have also been drawn alongside Malawi and Madagascar, who will present a challenge.
Group B contains Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius and Botswana, and will be tough to call with those sides seemingly evenly matched. Zimbabwe headline Group C, where they will take on Mozambique, Angola and Eswatini.
Only the top team in each pool advances to the semifinals, along with the best third-place finisher, meaning there is little room for error or an off-day for any of the sides.
The COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championship is an eagerly-awaited competition that provides players in this age-group with the opportunity to showcase their quality.
Group A looks a very competitive one, with South Africa up against Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, in what is certainly a Group of Death.
Group B contains Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Eswatini, and will also be eagerly contested.
The two tournaments will run side-by-side, with the matches to be played at the Wolfson and Gelvandale stadiums.
Women’s football has seen a huge surge in popularity around the world in recent years and Southern Africa is no different.
COSAFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
Group A
South Africa
Malawi
Comoros Islands
Madagascar
Group B
Zambia
Namibia
Mauritius
Botswana
Group C
Zimbabwe
Mozambique
Angola
Eswatini
COSAFA WOMEN’S UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
Group A
South Africa
Namibia
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Group B
Botswana
Zambia
Tanzania
Eswatini