The tournament will run from 4 to 14 June, with matches played at the Free State Stadium, a venue that famously hosted games during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, and the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, which was known as the home ground of Bloemfontein Celtic during its PSL era.

During the official tournament draw at the City Hall in Bloemfontein on Wednesday (21/5), Mayor Gregory Nthatisi welcomed the 14-nation competition with enthusiasm. He expressed the importance of the event not just for the city but for the Free State province and South Africa as a whole.

The Cosafa Cup. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

“We are a city that financially is working hard to discover itself, but we cannot lose opportunities like these,” Nthatisi said. “Allow our friends, allow people of South Africa, institutions and organisations – when they say we are here, we are willing and able – (to) put a hand, join hands together and let’s ensure that we entertain our people.”

Nthatisi emphasised the positive social and economic impact the tournament will have, and called on residents to support the competition, saying it would showcase the unity, hospitality, and vibrancy of the region.

“To the people of the media, please give the best coverage to this tournament because it is in a peaceful city where you will be enjoying the hospitality of our people, the kindness,” he added.

Nthatisi also assured fans that safety remains a top priority.

“To the dogs that intend to bite people, I know that law enforcement people have ensured that you are locked up. The thugs that happen to try to visit our city and do funny things, we will also set them on [to the] law enforcement unit.”

The Cosafa Cup will feature 14 teams from across southern and northern Africa, bringing together both footballing giants and underdogs. South Africa and Zimbabwe, placed in Group A, will be joined by Mozambique, last year’s bronze medalists, and Mauritius.

The Cosafa Cup will feature 14 teams from across southern and northern Africa. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

South Africa will be aiming to clinch their first Cosafa Cup title since 2021, while Zimbabwe, the tournament’s most decorated side with six titles, will be looking to end a seven-year trophy drought.

Full Group Stage Draw:

• Group A: South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe
• Group B: Angola, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho
• Group C: Morocco, Madagascar, Eswatini
• Group D: Zambia, Comoros, Botswana

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh