The pool stages of the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championship will feature some massive clashes as the five teams battle it out for two places in the final.
Here is a quick look at the fixtures and the past history between the sides.
COMOROS VS TANZANIA
November 4 – The Oval
The competition opener where both sides will want to get off to a positive start, not east Comoros, who need to show their improvement from last season. Tanzania debut in COSAFA competitions in this age-group, but their women’s Under-20 side walked away with that title last year.
SOUTH AFRICA VS ZAMBIA
November 4 – The Oval
This is a repeat of last year’s semifinal clash where South Africa ran out 2-1 winners to seal a spot in the decider. It was a tight and tense game, and this should be no different, especially after South Africa edged Zambia 3-2 on aggregate in the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup qualifiers in February.
ZAMBIA VS TANZANIA
November 6 – The Oval
Both sides will have as brief break before they are back in action and will hope they are still on course for a full haul of six points at this stage. Tanzania entered the World Cup qualifiers for the first time this year and beat Burundi before becoming untuck against Uganda.
ZIMBABWE VS SOUTH AFRICA
November 6 – The Oval
Zimbabwe debut in the competition having missed out on last year and could not have asked for a tougher start than against the hosts. Zimbabwe have struggled in this age-group in recent years, and lost 7-0 on aggregate to Botswana in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.
ZIMBABWE VS COMOROS
November 8 – The Oval
Zimbabwe will be back in action a few days later against a more rested Comoros in a game that both sides will feel is a must-win if they are to have a chance of making the final by finishing as one of the top two teams in the pool.
TANZANIA VS SOUTH AFRICA
November 8 – The Oval
Tanzania knocked South Africa out in the semifinal stage of last year’s Women’s Under-20 tournament, so there might be some revenge on the menu for the home team. Like every game at this stage, the teams could be entering do-or-die territory.
ZAMBIA VS COMOROS
November 10 – The Oval
These two sides met in 2019, with the Zambians running out comprehensive 15-0 winners as Florence Kasonde scored four goals and there were also hat-tricks for Shelly Masumo and Cindy Banda. Comoros will want to show their improvement from 12 months ago.
TANZANIA VS ZIMBABWE
November 10 – The Oval
The final game for Tanzania in the pool and a penultimate challenge for Zimbabwe, there is likely to be a lot riding on this encounter for both teams’ final aspirations.
SOUTH AFRICA VS COMOROS
November 12 – The Oval
South Africa did not meet Comoros in 2019, but they did trounce their island rivals Seychelles 28-0 in what remains the highest score in international football in Africa. Comoros will be wary of that threat, but will be confident they can mount more of a challenge against a rested home side.
ZAMBIA VS ZIMBABWE
November 12 – The Oval
It is always a mighty battle when these two sides meet at any level of international competition and this should be no different between two of the powerhouses of the region. They could be fighting over one spot in the final too, which will add extra spice to the encounter. A massive game to finish off the pool stage.
