Zimbabwe has been drawn against hosts South Africa in the group stage of the 2025 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup, scheduled to run from 4 to 15 June.
The tournament draw was conducted in Mangaung on Wednesday, with South Africa and Zimbabwe placed in Group A alongside last year’s bronze medallists, Mozambique, and Mauritius.
South Africa will be seeking to secure their first COSAFA title since 2021, while six-time champions Zimbabwe will be eager to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2018. Both nations will view this tournament as a vital opportunity to end their respective title droughts.
Defending champions Angola headline Group B, where they are joined by Namibia, whom they faced twice during the 2024 edition.
Their group stage encounter ended in a goalless draw, but Angola emphatically triumphed 5–0 in the final. Malawi and Lesotho complete the group.
Group C features North African guest nation Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They are drawn with Madagascar and Eswatini in a three-team pool.
Group D comprises record seven-time champions Zambia, alongside Comoros and Botswana.
Only the top team from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The winner of Group A will face the winner of Group D, while the Group B winner will meet the top side from Group C.
This year’s tournament will be held in Mangaung for the first time, with matches hosted at the Free State Stadium, used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
The COSAFA Cup will serve as a crucial warm-up for national teams ahead of the resumption of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns in September, offering the opportunity for up to five competitive fixtures.
All matches will be broadcast on SABC and SuperSport, and streamed live via FIFA+.
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