The COSAFA Show

In this latest episode of The COSAFA Show, we look ahead to the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this week, and glance back at the Region 5 Games that were played in Windhoek. Two of our COSAFA sides have advanced to the knockout rounds of the WAFCON competition, including defending champions South Africa, who face Senegal on Saturday. But before that, Zambia are in action against nine-time winners Nigeria on Friday in what will truly be a test of their championship credentials. We will hear from both of their coaches ahead of the crunch knockout games. Botswana narrowly missed out on a place in the quarterfinals despite a 2-1 win over Tunisia in their final Group B game but leave with their heads held high. We also check in with the victorious South Africa men’s coach Vela Khumalo after they lifted the Region 5 Games crown, which served as the COSAFA championship in that age-group this year. Although an Under-20 competition, South Africa triumphed with an Under-17 selection as they prepare for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, making their achievement all the more impressive.

In this latest episode of The COSAFA Show we talk all things match officials and the Video Assistant Referee. We discuss the VAR system that was implemented from the very first match at the recent HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup in Manguang. COSAFA Referees manage Felix Tangawarima and COSAFA VAR Technician Ramy Gamal tell us how the system was put in place and the extensive plans they have for the region and beyond. We speak to three referees from the COSAFA region who are off to the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that will be played in Morocco from July 5-26. They tell us about their journey. A total of six match officials from the COSAFA region will do duty at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. We chat to three of them - Letticia Viana from Eswatini, Maria Rivet from Mauritius and Akhona Makalima from South Africa, as well as referees instructor Abdul Ebrahim.

In this latest episode of The COSAFA Show, where we chat to Angola coach Pedro Goncalves as he prepares to defend the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup title his side won in 2024 as they ended a 20-year wait for the trophy. It is an incredibly busy six months for Palancas Negras as they compete in Mangaung from June 4-15, and also take part in the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals in August, and the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the end of the year. Goncalves is currently the longest serving national team coach in African football having been in his post since 2019, and has worked in the country for the past decade. He gives us insight into his team and the current state of Angolan football.

The development of women’s football in the COSAFA region in the last decade has been impressive, with opportunities on and off the pitch in be part of the Beautiful Game. In our latest episode of The COSAFA Show, we have an interview with COSAFA Women’s Football Consultant Violet Jubane. The timing is perfect with the COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship on the horizon, as the next generation of the region’s female football stars will show their potential.