The major qualification matches for COSAFA sides continue to come thick and fast as three Southern African nations hope to take a step closer to the 2015 CAF Under-23 Championship in Senegal later in the year.

South Africa travel to Zimbabwe to play the hosts at the Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in the first leg of their third-round tie.

The victor in this tie will book their place at the continental finals, ensuring there will be at least one COSAFA side in Senegal.

South Africa will have been in camp for two weeks by the time they play their fixture having had an excelllent build-up to the game.

They arrive in Zimbabwe on Friday with coach Owen da Gama having most of his players available for selection.

Zimbabwe have had a more challenging build-up as they try to get their players into camp.

Also in action this weekend are Zambia, who travel to Ivory Coast for the first leg of their tie.

Zambia defeated Botswana 3-1 on aggregate in the last round, but face a much sterner challenge against the powerful west Africans.

The nations who finish in the top three in Rio de Janeiro will qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.