Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA have taken a leaf from their South African counter-parts’ page after committing to throw a developmental side in this year’s COSAFA Cup, scheduled for Bloemfontein from June 4-15.
Unlike other countries, South Africa have in the past years used the COSAFA platform to identify and nurture young players with the potential to make the grade in the regular Bafana Bafana squad. Bafana Bafana are chasing glory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the Africa Championship of Nations (CHAN).
And the South Africa Football Association have allowed coach Hugo Broos to take a back seat from the COSAFA tournaments, with the Belgian’s assistant Helman Mkhalele presiding over the regional contest.
On the occasions that Bafana Bafana legend Mkhalele was not available, SAFA tasked Morena Rameloboli to carry the torch.
The rewards have been tremendous, as some players like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Vincent Phule and Siyabonga Ngezana have been unleashed after performing well in COSAFA tournaments.
And Zimbabwe will this year deploy a developmental side consisting of players who are 23 years and under.
National Under-20 coach Simon Marange is expected to lead the team for the COSAFA Cup.
Interestingly, old foes Zimbabwe and South Africa were drawn in the same group during the COSAFA Cup draw yesterday.
Although ZIFA were by last night, still to make a formal announcement, sources indicated that the association have decided to take the developmental route at this year’s tourney. Coach Michael Nees and his assistant Takesure Chiragwi will be taking their bunch of Warriors regulars to Casablanca, Morocco, for high-profile international friendly matches against Niger and Burkina Faso at the same time that the COSAFA Cup will be underway in South Africa. Zimbabwe play Niger on June 6 before they face the Stallions four days later as they utilise the FIFA international calendar.
Nees is hoping to use the matches in Morocco to polish up on combinations and also assess some of the players he identified on his recent trip to Europe.
The German gaffer has his sights on ensuring the Warriors finally break the jinx of not going beyond the group stage at the Nations Cup by broadening his player base and also turning his team into a competitive unit.
“That is the position right now. Players aged 23 and under will represent Zimbabwe in the upcoming COSAFA Cup contest in South Africa.
“They could go with Simon Marange as the head coach, as ZIFA have decided to give a chance to development players to showcase themselves at this level,” said the sources.
“The regular Warriors squad will be in Morocco, as ZIFA knows the friendlies, which fall under the FIFA calendar, will have a bearing on their international rankings.
“That’s the position right now. The senior side has to do well in Morocco, while the youngsters should up the bar in South Africa.”
With the Premier Soccer League undertaking to shelve top-flight matches for the two friendlies falling under the FIFA calendar, engagements are on-going between the league and ZIFA to see whether local league games can also be frozen during the COSAFA Cup.
PSL acting chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe said they will be engaging with ZIFA to see how best they can handle the situation.
“As you might be aware, the PSL’s position always gives precedence to national team matches falling under the FIFA international calendar. So, there are no two ways. We will suspend matches for the international friendlies between the Warriors and Niger as well as Burkina Faso,” said Thabe.
“However, we also understand the need for the country to develop well by taking part in tournaments like the upcoming COSAFA Cup.
“To this end, we are in touch with our FA (ZIFA) to see whether it will be fine for us to play our league matches during the tournament or not.
“We will stand guided by them and our decision will also depend on the composition of the COSAFA Cup squad.”
Zimbabwe have been placed in Group A alongside the hosts, Mozambique and Mauritius. Angola, Namibia, Malawi and Lesotho will battle it out in Group B, while Morocco, the guest nation, will face off against Eswatini and Madagascar in Group C, with Zambia, Comoros and Botswana contesting in Group D. Only group winners will advance to the semi-finals. The Group A winners will face the table-topping team from Group D. Zimbabwe were eliminated in the semi-finals by guest nation Kenya in last year’s tournament played in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Cosafa Cup Draw:
Group A: South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe
Group B: Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho
Group C: Morocco, Madagascar, Eswatini
Group D: Zambia, Comoros, Botswana
