By FAZ Media
ZAMBIA Under-20 national team has set up camp at Izzy Stay Hotel in Maputo ahead of their 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) / COSAFA Qualifier Group C opener against Malawi.
The Junior Chipolopolo will face Malawi at Zimpeto Stadium tomorrow as they begin their bid for a record-extending 13th COSAFA Under-20 Championship title and a return to the Youth Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia are the most successful nation in the history of the regional competition, having won a record 12 titles, including the inaugural championship in 1983.
The most recent triumph came in 2022, when Zambia edged Mozambique 1-0 in the final in Eswatini.
South Africa have since won the last two editions, claiming their ninth title in the 2024 qualifier in Mozambique before successfully defending the crown at the 2025 Region 5 Games in Namibia.
Coach Perry Mutapa has named a 26-member squad for the tournament, with Zambia drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Comoros and Botswana.
After tomorrow’s opener, Zambia will face Comoros on September 21 before completing their group-stage campaign against Botswana on September 23.
The 2026 COSAFA Under-20 Qualifier runs from 18 to 27 September in Mozambique, with 12 teams divided into three groups of four.
Hosts Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia and Seychelles make up Group A, while Group B features defending champions South Africa, Angola, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The group winners and the best-performing teams will progress in accordance with the tournament regulations.
