Zambia will face regional rivals Zimbabwe and Eswatini in Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier following Friday’s supplementary draw in Johannesburg.
The tournament will be held in Maputo, Mozambique, from December 4–13, with the Junior Chipolopolo aiming to reclaim the regional crown they last won in 2024.
Zambia will be determined to make amends after suffering a disappointing early exit at last year’s competition in Zimbabwe, where they entered as defending champions but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Zimbabwe, who also failed to advance from the group stage on home soil last year, will provide familiar opposition, while Eswatini complete a three-team Group C.
Meanwhile, Madagascar have been accommodated as late entrants following a supplementary draw held after the original tournament draw last month.
The Malagasy side have been placed in Group B alongside defending champions South Africa, Malawi and Botswana, creating a four-team pool.
Hosts Mozambique will compete in Group A alongside Angola and Lesotho.
South Africa, who defeated Angola 2-1 in last year’s final in Harare, will be targeting a fifth regional title, having drawn level with Zambia on four championships.
The COSAFA tournament offers the participating nations an opportunity to compete for regional honours and qualification places at next year’s CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 AFCON | COSAFA Qualifier draw
Group A: Mozambique, Lesotho, Angola
Group B: South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar
Group C: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini
