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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
THE Mighty Warriors will have at least two more weeks to work on their preparations for the 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship after organisers of the tournament announced a revised fixtures list today.
The Mighty Warriors are among 11 countries that are set to converge in South Africa next month for the regional football tournament that will now run from September 28 to October 9 at Nelson Mandela Bay.
According to the new fixture list announced by COSAFA, the tournament will now take place two weeks later than originally scheduled.
Zimbabwe are in Group B along with Botswana, and guest nations Tanzania and South Sudan. They will get their campaign running on September 29 when they face Tanzania.
“There are no further changes to the logistics, with the same number of teams to take part, but the competition will now kick-off with a Group A meeting between Angola and Mozambique on September 28,” said COSAFA in a statement.
“That will be followed later in the day with a crunch clash between hosts South Africa and Malawi as Banyana Banyana seek a fifth successive title in the regional showpiece competition.
“Group B starts on September 29 as Botswana take on South Sudan, while another guest nation, Tanzania, open their competition against Zimbabwe later in the day. Namibia and guests Uganda open Group C on September 30, before Zambia clash with eSwatini.
“The group stages will conclude on October 5, with only the top team in each pool advancing to the semi-finals along with the best-placed runner-up.
“The semi-finals will be played on October 7 and see the winner of Group B take on the top team in Group C, while the winner of Group A meets the best runner-up. The final and third-place play-off will be played on October 9.”
The competition will be perfect preparation for the start of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers that are scheduled to be played in the FIFA international window that runs from October 18-26.
South Africa have won the last four COSAFA Women’s Championships, beating Botswana 2-1 in last year’s final. Nelson Mandela Bay will also be hosting the competition for the fourth year in a row.
Online Reporter