The official draw unveiling the group stage of the highly anticipated Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2023 took place on Thursday, 14 September 2023.
The 2023 edition of this championship will be held in Gauteng from 4 to 15 October. Zambia, the current titleholders, will defend their title won in the previous year’s tournament. Additionally, it’s a warm welcome back for Zimbabwe to the international stage.
The teams have been divided into three groups, each consisting of four sides. The leading nation in each group will secure a spot in the semifinals. Furthermore, the best-performing runner-up from among these groups will also progress to the knockout rounds.
Group A features the host nation, South Africa, with their impressive seven-time regional championship title, joined by teams from Malawi, Madagascar, and Eswatini. In Group B, Zambia will face off against tough competitors, including Mozambique, Angola, and Comoros. In the final group, Group C, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, who are making a triumphant return after the lifting of their suspension, and last but not least, Lesotho will compete.
This upcoming edition promises to be an exhilarating chapter in the premier women’s regional competition on the continent. Both Zambia and South Africa, the reigning African champions, have showcased their excellence at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.
This tournament serves as excellent preparation for the upcoming second round of qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Several COSAFA teams are actively participating in these qualifiers. Zambia is set to compete against Mali, Namibia will go head-to-head with Morocco, Botswana will face off against Tanzania, and South Africa will face DR Congo in the upcoming qualifiers scheduled for late October.
Out of the last ten COSAFA Women’s Championships, South Africa has emerged victorious in seven, establishing their dominance in the tournament. The remaining three championships were claimed by Zimbabwe in 2011, Tanzania in 2021, and Zambia in 2022, showcasing the competitive spirit of these teams.
2023 COSAFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW:
GROUP A
South Africa
Malawi
Madagascar
Eswatini
GROUP B
Zambia
Mozambique
Angola
Comoros
GROUP C
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Lesotho
Photo Caption: Excitement is building after the draw for the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2023 was announced, setting the stage for a thrilling continental clash in Johannesburg this October. Photo: @cosafafootball on Instagram
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