The 2017 COSAFA Under-20 Championships is to be staged in Kitwe, Zambia from December 6-16 as the top young talent in the region gathers to showcase their rich potential.
It will be a celebration of the new up-and-coming stars in Southern Africa and a chance for them to catch the eye with a host of scouts set to keep an eagle eye on proceedings.
Here are some numbers around the competition that has a rich 34-year history.
0 – The only final to finish goalless was in 2001 when Zambia needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Angola 5-3 on spot-kicks. That remains the only final to go to a shoot-out.
1 – Zambia were the top side in 2016 as they defeated South Africa 2-1 in the final.
2 – The number of host venues at the 2017 COSAFA Under-20 Championships – the Nkana and Arthur Davis Stadia in Kitwe.
2 – In 2016 there were two guest nations that took part, DR Congo and Sudan.
3 – Central African guest nation DR Congo picked up the bronze medal for third place as they defeated Angola 4-3 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw.
3 – Zambia have won three of the last four COSAFA Under-20 Championships played, with only South Africa breaking their run in 2013.
3 – Angola lost three finals in a row between 2000 and 2002. They made the deciding match in 2011 but lost again. They have yet to win the regional title.
4 – Only four nations have won the COSAFA Under-20 Championships – Zambia (11 times), Zimbabwe (6), South Africa (5) and Madagascar (1).
4 – Zambia hold the record for the most title wins in a row, four, between 1993 and 1999.
5 – The number of goals scored by last year’s top marksman, Luther Singh of South Africa.
6 – This year’s COSAFA Under-20 Championships will kick-off on December 6, with the final to be staged 10 days later on the 16th.
8 – South Africa claimed the biggest win of the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships when they thumped Lesotho 8-0. It was simply a bad day in the office for Lesotho, who went on to beat Botswana and Swaziland in their next two games, conceding just a single goal in the process!
9 – The most number of goals scored in a single final – South Africa defeated Zambia 5-4 in 2004!
11 – The number of titles won by Zambia, the most successful nation in the history of the COSAFA Under-20 Championships. And they will be the defending champions on home soil this year!
11 – The number of years in a row that South Africa hosted the event between 1999 and 2009.
14 – The number of teams who are likely to compete in this year’s COSAFA Under-20 Championships.
16 – The number of goals scored by South Africa in their five matches in 2016, one more than eventual champions Zambia.
24 – The number of matches that will be played at this year’s COSAFA Under-20 Championships.
63 – The number of goals scored in the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships, an average of 2.62 per game!
1983 – The first time a regional competition was staged for junior teams. It was won by Zambia.
2000 – The first time a nation other than Zambia or Zimbabwe lifted the trophy – South Africa claimed the prize in 2000.
2005 – Madagascar became just the fourth country to lift the trophy after Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
[Cosafa]
Top picture looks like Sinkala is about to be slapped by Kahn, I wonder what he did.
We own COSAFA under-20!!
We need more of these competitions to build our own teams.
Lets also start hosting the U23 African championships and the CHAN.
Let Hayatou Hang with the AFCON, which he deprived Zambia and gave to a country that may nt even manage to host it.
Stop been jelouse of other countries in africa
Well, I hope the majority of the boys who recently managed to win the Cosafa U.17 will be given an opportunity to showcase their talent on home soil.
Is there a similar competition under CECAFA & / the West African equivalent (what ever it’s called)?
If the answer is in the affirmative then it would be great to organize a mini tournament for the top 3 teams from the respective regions to battle it out…
I believe, the aforementioned idea would benefit African football at grass root level.