COSAFA sides to learn Olympics fate in April

The COSAFA sides competing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games will learn their pool stage opponents when the draw for the first round is made on April 14.

The South African men’s Under-23 side, as well as the South African and Zimbabwean women’s teams, will all be flying the COSAFA flag at the tournament in Brazil that runs from August 3-20.

FIFA has announced that the draw will be held at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio – the same venue that will host the Men’s and Women’s finals.

The 16 teams in the men’s tournament, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions Mexico, will be drawn into four groups while the 12 women’s teams, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions USA, will be drawn into three groups.

There are three spots still remaining to be filled in the women’s section and will join Brazil as hosts, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Germany, France, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Colombia.

Just one spot remains in the men’s tournament, with Colombia and USA playing off in March to complete the line-up of hosts Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Fiji, Honduras, Mexico, Algeria, Nigeria, Iraq, Japan and South Korea.