COSAFA: Malawi coach Fazili braces for tough South Africa

Malawi senior women’s national team coach Lovemore Fazili has reacted to the COSAFA Women’s Championship draw, saying the Scorchers’ success would depend on sound preparations.

The Scorchers were drawn alongside hosts South Africa, Angola and Lesotho, Group A opponents the coach admitted were tough. The draw took place in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

 

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“It is a good draw. Draws always come out like that, so what we are going to do is to prepare very well. At the same time, the players are aware [of the challenge ahead]. South Africa and Angola are strong teams so we expect tough matches. At the end of the day, we need to get positive results,” Fazili said.

The regional women’s football showpiece is scheduled from February 18 to 1 March in Polokwane, South Africa, after a hiatus last year.

The 11 participating teams were drawn into three groups—two comprising four each and the other three—ensuring no premature collision of traditional giants, South Africa and the defending champions, Zambia.

Holders Chipolopolo Queens, who edged South Africa in the 2024 final to win their second-ever title, will start their title defence from Group B comprising neighbours Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Botswana.

Fast-improving Mozambique are certainly the team to watch in Group C that consists of Madagascar and Namibia, who have never won the title of the competition.

Why there is a three-member group

This is the only three-member group. Mauritius, Comoros and Seychelles and Namibia are conspicuously absent from this year’s competition; hence, the imbalance in the numbers in Group C.

Outlining the competition’s playing format via a statement, COSAFA says the overall winner of each group will progress to the semifinal stage alongside the best runner up.

“Because there are three teams in Group C, results against the bottom sides in Groups A and B will be disregarded for the purposes of that calculation,” reads the statement.

Matches will be broadcast live on FIFA+ and COSAFA’s YouTube channel.

COSAFA Women’s Championship offers South Africa, Zambia and Malawi, a platform to fine-tune for their participation in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled from March 17 to April 3.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Group A Presents Tough Test

Reacting to the draw, Fazili remained pragmatic but optimistic, noting that difficult groups are part and parcel of elite regional competitions.

“It is a good draw. Draws always come out like that, so what we are going to do is to prepare very well,” Fazili said.
“The players are aware of the challenge ahead. South Africa and Angola are strong teams, so we expect tough matches. At the end of the day, we need to get positive results.”

Group A is widely considered one of the most competitive pools in this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship, with hosts South Africa boasting experience and depth, while Angola continue to grow steadily on the continental stage.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Returns After Hiatus

The regional women’s football showpiece will run from February 18 to March 1 in Polokwane, South Africa, marking the tournament’s return after a one-year hiatus. The competition is expected to serve as a vital platform for teams to assess progress and build momentum ahead of major continental assignments.

A total of 11 teams are taking part in this edition, drawn into three groups—two groups of four teams and one group of three. The format was designed to avoid an early clash between traditional heavyweights.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Groups Explained

The draw ensured that South Africa and defending champions Zambia women’s national football team would not meet in the group stage.

• Group A: South Africa, Malawi, Angola, Lesotho

• Group B: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Botswana

• Group C: Mozambique, Madagascar, Namibia

The structure ensures competitive balance while giving emerging teams the chance to test themselves against established sides.

COSAFA Women’s Championship: Zambia Begin Title Defence

Defending champions Zambia will begin their title defence in Group B, where they face neighbours Zimbabwe women’s national football team, Eswatini women’s national football team, and Botswana women’s national football team.

The Chipolopolo Queens famously edged South Africa in the 2024 final to claim their second COSAFA Women’s Championship crown, and they arrive once again as strong favourites.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Group C and Three-Team Format

Group C, featuring Mozambique women’s national football team, Madagascar, and Namibia, is the only three-team group in the competition.

The imbalance is due to the absence of Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles, who are not participating in this year’s tournament. Mozambique, in particular, are being tipped as a team to watch after their rapid improvement in recent years.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Qualification Rules Clarified

Outlining the playing format, Council of Southern Africa Football Associations confirmed that:

• The winner of each group will qualify for the semifinals

• The best runner-up across all groups will also advance

Because Group C contains only three teams, results against the bottom teams in Groups A and B will be disregarded when determining the best runner-up, ensuring fairness in the standings.