On GOtv you can have it all, and that’s exactly why we’re bringing our beloved viewers all the live action from the COSAFA Cup. Let’s take a look at what exactly to expect in this year’s edition and why you should make sure you don’t miss out on this tournament!

This year’s competition will be held in Gqeberha, South Africa from Wednesday 26 June to Sunday 7 July. 11 teams from the Council of South African Football Association and guest nation Kenya will embark on a journey for bragging rights and glory.

COSAFA Cup history

This competition first took place in 1997 and was held every year until 2009. After a break, the COSAFA Cup made a comeback in 2013 and has been taking place annually since, except for 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s tournament will be the 23rd edition of the COSAFA Cup. Zambia were the champions of the first edition and have been the most decorated side in the competition with seven titles. The nation is also the current champion. Zimbabwe has won it six times, South Africa five, Angola three and Namibia have been crowned champions once. Interestingly enough, this is the seventh time that South Africa hosts the tournament in a row.

Who’s involved this year, and what is the format?

Eleven of the teams of the COSAFA region will be taking part this year, namely: Eswatini, Comoros, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Seychelles, Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa. For Zimbabwe, they are making a return for the first time since 2021 following the lifting of their FIFA ban.

Madagascar and Mauritius opted not to take part, while Malawi withdrew out of respect for a tragic accident which took the life of former Vice-President Saulos Chilima. So, this time around Kenya has stepped up to take their position as a guest team.

It’s the second time that the Harambee Stars are appearing in the COSAFA Cup, having debuted 11 years ago when they were eliminated in the group stages of the competition. This year’s format sees the 12 teams broken down into four groups consisting of three teams. The top team from each group advances to the semifinal and so does the runner-up with the best record. Following the semifinals, a third-place playoff and final take place and both will be held on Sunday 7 July at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Favorites for the crown?

Zambia are the seven-time winners of the competition and are going after a third successive triumph, which has never been achieved in the tournament’s history. They will surely be backing themselves to win the trophy for the four time in the space of five editions, so they are competition favourites.

But that doesn’t take anything away from Zimbabwe, who are also regarded as possible champions. Especially as they have had to sit in the backseat and watch as Zambia overtook them.

South Africa, the hosts should also not be underestimated, and Lesotho and Namibia also have reason to be regarded as proper competition for the trophy. Kenya are looking to make an upset as they are the guests and will hope to give an element of surprise.

Key players to watch

Zambia has a very young squad; however, they’ve got some highly skilled players in their ranks. Al Hilal’s Albert Kangwanda is an experienced attacker who will prove dangerous and Andrew Phiri along with Kelvin Kapumbu are ones to keep an eye on as well. Sekanji Siami is highly regarded as a prodigy with a long career ahead of him and has already shown signs of brilliance at only 18 years old.

Zimbabwe’s squad includes players who are based in England in Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield Town) and Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), while forward Takunda Benhura of Ngezi Platinum is a highly rated prospect as well.

South Africa’s squad also has a number of rising stars who are already well-known in the DStv.

Premiership for their immense talent, such as Ethan Brooks, Devin Titus, Ashley Cupido, Jaedin Rhodes and Sirgio Kammies.

Kenya have brought a U-23 squad to the tournament, which includes overseas-based rising stars such as Amos Wanjala (Nastic Sports Academy, Spain), Josphat Lopaga (Dynamo Brest, Belarus) and George Gitau (Middlesbrough, England) amongst others.

Five reasons to watch the Cosafa Cup on GOtv

1. It’s the “off-season”, but you’ll still get a chance to watch quality football matches from Africa’s rising stars. Who wouldn’t want that?
2. The competition is notorious for showcasing unknown talent and giving them a platform to shine, so you’ll see firsthand which players are destined for greatness.
3. Who doesn’t like a bit of history? The tournament has taken place 22 times, and with Zambia having the chance to make even more, get a chance to see if their rivals won’t stop them in their tracks.
4. The underdogs. Whilst some might take smaller nations Lesotho and Namibia lightly, they’ve shown that they can play with the big boys too. Get a chance to see if they’ll provide an upset.
5. Guest teams. With Kenya participating this time around, that gives the tournament an extra layer of interest. Past guest teams include Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda.

So, there you have it! You don’t want to miss this tournament with all the information you have now. Join in and get a piece of the action from the COSAFA Cup with GOtv by your side. You absolutely won’t regret it.

COSAFA Cup broadcast details

Times CAT

Wednesday 26 June

• 15:00: Eswatini v Botswana – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: South Africa v Mozambique – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Thursday 27 June

• 15:00: Comoros v Zimbabwe – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: Zambia v Kenya – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Friday 28 June

• 15:00: Lesotho v Seychelles – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: Angola v Namibia – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Saturday 29 June

• 12:00: Mozambique v Eswatini – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: South Africa v Botswana – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 30 June

• 12:00: Kenya v Comoros – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Zambia v Zimbabwe – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 1 July

• 12:00: Angola v Seychelles – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Namibia v Lesotho – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Tuesday 2 July

• 12:00: Comoros v Zambia – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: South Africa v Eswatini – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Wednesday 3 July

• 15:00: Lesotho v Angola – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Friday 5 July

• 15:00: Semifinal 1 – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 18:00: Semifinal 2 – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 7 July

• 12:00: Third Place Playoff – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
• 15:00: Final – LIVE on SuperSport GOtv Select 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

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