COSAFA Cup: Angola coach ready for title defence

Photo: Angolan Football Federation/Facebook

Angola's Palancas Negras coach Pedro Goncalves says his team is ready to defend the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa.

He said this ahead of the kick-off of the 14-member regional football competition scheduled for South Africa from 4 to 15 June. 

Speaking to COSAFA media, Goncalves said while he did not have all the players in camp, he was happy with the team's readiness for the title. He added that the cup presents his side with an opportunity to prepare for the 2025 African Nations Championship finals and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

"It is important to start not only thinking about the COSAFA Cup but also the final phase of CHAN. We planned the camp for the COSAFA tournament to prepare for all those tournaments we have in front of us," he said.

The Portuguese mentor further called for more support for the biggest regional competition in Southern Africa.

"It is important to give importance to the COSAFA Cup. If everybody tried to develop the competition, it would be wonderful...It is a big window for everybody."

The Angolans are in Group B, comprising Malawi, Lesotho, and Namibia while Group C has guests Tanzania, Madagascar, and Eswatini. Hosts South Africa were drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Mauritius.

The 14 teams were split into four groups, A and B comprising four teams each, and the rest, three. The winner of each group will proceed to the semifinals.

The competition will retain last year’s format with teams facing off in group stages before going into knockouts.