2024 COSAFA Cup Draw Set for Friday, June 14th

The 2024 COSAFA CUP dates have been announced, with the tournament set to take place in South Africa from June 26 to July 7.

The group stage draw will be held on Friday at 11:00 (CAT) and will be streamed live on the COSAFA Facebook and YouTube pages.

The format remains the same as last year, with 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The three group winners and the best runner-up will advance to the semifinals.

Hosts South Africa, defending champions Zambia, and Angola, the next highest-ranked team according to FIFA, will be the seeded teams.

Madagascar and Mauritius have chosen not to compete in the 2024 edition. The tournament will provide valuable game-time for players and coaches ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, expected to take place later in the year.

Each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games and a maximum of five. The format also allows for an extra day’s rest between most pool games, which is beneficial for player welfare.

The COSAFA Cup has a rich history, with only five nations having lifted the trophy. Zambia claimed their seventh title in 2023, putting them at the top of the list.

They are followed by Zimbabwe (six titles), South Africa (five), Angola (three), and Namibia (one).

Other nations such as Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, and Lesotho have reached the final twice but have not secured a title. Guest nation Senegal reached the final in 2021 but lost to South Africa.