Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
With a rich legacy and a hunger to reclaim past dominance, Zimbabwe’s Under-20 side heads to Windhoek as the Cosafa Men’s Championship returns to the Region 5 Games from July 4-13.
Zimbabwe were among the founding participants of the tournament back in 1983, and quickly established themselves as a regional powerhouse, winning three of the first nine editions. As the tournament returns to the Region 5 Games platform, the country’s football faithful will be watching closely, hopeful that a new generation can emulate the achievements of legends like Tinashe Nengomasha and Onismor Bhasera, who both used the Cosafa stage to launch successful careers.
The 2024 edition of the Cosafa Men’s Under-20 Championship was won by South Africa in Mozambique. They went on to lift the TotalEnergies Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, underlining the importance of this tournament in preparing players for elite competition.
While this year’s edition is not a qualifier for the continental showpiece held biennially, it still serves as a critical arena for showcasing and nurturing Southern Africa’s emerging stars.
Running through the list of players who have passed through Cosafa’s U-20 ranks is like reading a roll call of Southern African greats. South Africa’s Itumeleng Khune, Lerato Chabangu, Daine Klate, Elrio van Heerden and Lyle Foster are just a few, who launched their professional journeys here. From Zimbabwe, Nengomasha and Bhasera were joined by many others who found opportunities abroad after proving themselves at this level.
Zambia’s Clifford Mulenga and Isaac Chansa, as well as Malawi’s Jimmy Zakazaka, are further evidence of the tournament’s role in developing cross border prospects and creating pathways to international football careers.
The Cosafa U-20 tournament began in 1983 as a modest affair featuring Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana. South Africa, then under apartheid sanctions, only joined in 1993.
Zimbabwe and Zambia, dubbed the ‘Two Zs’, dominated the early years. Zambia won six of the first nine tournaments, while Zimbabwe took three titles, including the 1985 and 1988 editions. South Africa would only break the duopoly in 2000 after losing in the 1995 and 1999 finals.
By 1999, South Africa took over as hosts, centralising the tournament until 2009. Yet, results remained unpredictable. Madagascar stunned the region in 2005, lifting the trophy after beating Lesotho 1–0 in the final. Lesotho again impressed in 2013 with a strong run to the decider.
The 2010 and 2011 editions, hosted by Botswana, saw Zambia extend a winning streak that culminated in their 2016 triumph, when they beat hosts South Africa 2–1 in the final. However, the balance of power continued to shift. South Africa bounced back to win in 2017, then retained the title in 2018 by narrowly defeating Zimbabwe in a tense penalty shootout.
Zambia, ever a strong contender, roared back to win in 2019 on home soil, dismantling South Africa 3–0 in a dominant final performance.
Mozambique made history in 2020, toppling South Africa in the group stage, edging Zambia on penalties in the semis, and edging Namibia 1–0 in the final for their first-ever title.
Zambia returned to the summit in 2022, beating Mozambique 1–0 in the final. There was no tournament in 2023, but South Africa reclaimed the crown last year in Mozambique, continuing their fierce rivalry with Zambia.
This year, Zimbabwe’s youthful squad will aim to rewrite the script. For them, and for many others across the region, the Cosafa U-20 Championship is more than just a tournament. It’s a stepping stone. A stage. A dream.
Above all, it remains a cornerstone of football development in Southern Africa where emerging talent meets the kind of pressure and opportunity that forges stars.
Previous Winners
1983 Zambia
1985 Zimbabwe
1986 Zambia
1988 Zimbabwe — @FungaiMuderere
