The race is on for a place at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 with the COSAFA Qualifiers getting underway in Harare, Zimbabwe today.
Twelve teams will vie for a place at the continental finals, which in turn serve as the Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA Uncer-17 World Cup which is again to be staged in Qatar in the new, expanded 48-team format that provides 10 places to African teams.
The tournament in Harare will see entrance FREE of charge for fans for the group stages, wth local fans able to enjoy the action as the best talent in this age group in the region takes to the field.
Those wishing to attend can collect tickets from Chicken Inn stores in Norton, DZ, Simon Maz and Waterfalls.
Fans across the world can also follow the action on FIFA+, with all 22 matches streamed LIVE.
With only the three group winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semi-finals, every game will carry the weight of a knockout. Two venues – the Ngoni Stadium and the Hearts Stadium – will stage the action, culminating in the final on September 20.
No COSAFA nation has ever lifted the CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations trophy, but there have been close calls. South Africa finished runners-up in 2015, while Angola took bronze in 2019.
The competition has, however, consistently produced talent for the senior game. Many internationals first made their mark in COSAFA youth tournaments. With the pathway now stretching to a newly expanded FIFA U17 World Cup – which will feature 10 African teams – the stakes are higher than ever.
Zambia enter as defending champions and the most successful side in COSAFA U17 history, having lifted the title in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024. South Africa are next on the roll of honour with three titles and a remarkable eight finals appearances. Angola (2018, 2021), Malawi (2001), Zimbabwe (2007) and Namibia (2016) have also claimed glory, underlining the competition’s depth.
Hosts Zimbabwe will enjoy home backing as they look to recapture the magic of their 2007 triumph. They face stern challenges in Group A from Mozambique, a nation with growing pedigree in junior football, and two underdogs eager to make history in Comoros and Eswatini.
Zambia, the dominant force of the last decade, open their defence in Group B against long-time rivals South Africa in what could be the tie of the tournament. Madagascar, who have made waves at senior level in recent years, and Malawi, champions in 2001, complete a group that offers no easy passage.
Last year’s beaten finalists Angola will be favourites to top Group C. They have twice been crowned COSAFA U17 champions and boast a strong development pipeline. Botswana, Mauritius and Lesotho will all be determined to upset the odds and show that they, too, can produce future stars.
The top three sides of this competition will progress to the TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations next year. From there, the best teams on the continent will battle for one of ten African slots at the FIFA U17 World Cup.
That road starts here in Harare, where the region’s brightest young talents have the chance to write their names into history. For some, this will be the launchpad to professional careers and senior international honours.
Cosafa.com
