Zambia Drawn in Tough Groups for Region 5 Games in Namibia
Zambia will feature in both the Men’s and Women’s Under-20 football competitions at the upcoming Region 5 Games, scheduled to take place in Windhoek, Namibia from July 4–13, under the organisation of COSAFA.
The tournament serves as the regional championship for Southern Africa in the U-20 age category. Although this year’s edition won’t serve as a qualifier for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, due to South Africa’s recent victory at the continental finals in Egypt, it still promises fierce competition and a chance for teams to claim regional bragging rights.
In the Men’s competition, Zambia has been drawn in Group B, a tough group that also includes reigning COSAFA champions South Africa, Eswatini, and Botswana. Group A features hosts Namibia, Angola, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
In the Women’s competition, Zambia, the defending COSAFA champions, headline Group B, where they will face South Africa, Eswatini, and Angola. Group A will see hosts Namibia up against Malawi, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
All matches in both competitions will be played at Hage Geingob Stadium and UNAM Stadium, both located in Windhoek.
The COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship made a return last year for the first time since 2019, with Zambia lifting the trophy. The previous edition had been won by guest nation Tanzania.
On the Men’s side, Zambia is the most successful nation in COSAFA U-20 history, with 12 regional titles, followed by South Africa with nine, Zimbabwe with six, and Madagascar and Mozambique with one each. Zambia dominated the early years of the competition, winning six of the first nine editions.
Memorable victories include Zambia’s back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 (both hosted in Botswana), their 11th championship in 2016 after defeating South Africa 2-1, and their 12th in 2022 after overcoming Mozambique.
While lifting trophies remains important, the Region 5 Games are also a key platform for developing future stars, offering young Zambian players a valuable opportunity to compete at a high level and prepare for senior international football.
