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SA to play Egypt in 2017 Cosafa U20 chamionships

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The draw for the 2017 Cosafa under 20 football tournament was conducted on Thursday with South Africa being drawn in the same group as Egypt, Mozambique and Mauritius.

The tournament will be held in Zambia from the 6th to the 11th of December.

The matches will be played at the Arthur Davies and Nkana stadiums in Kitwe, Zambia.

Having lost the 2016 final against Zambia, the South African men’s under 20 team will be looking to go one step further at the 2017 tournament in Zambia, but it will be a tough ask as they are in the same group as African powerhouse, Egypt.

Amajita team manager, Levy Ramajoe, said having Egypt in the group is what the coach wanted.

“Very exciting and what is important is to know your opponent, because it will help us to prepare accordingly or appropriately. And about Egypt, the coach was talking to me on my way there. He said his wish is to get Egypt so that he can prepare his players for the forthcoming AYC Championship. So, it’s a good thing and we are happy we are in the same group as Egypt.”

Defending champions, Zambia, will have local support during the tournament.

They head into the tournament as favourites.

Nevertheless, Zambia know that every match will be difficult and Lombe Mbalashi says they know they’ll be the hunted at this year’s edition.

“It’s 90 minutes of football. Anything can happen and of course, being African Champions, everyone wants to destroy Zambia for that position. So, it will be an interesting tournament.”

This tournament has unearthed a lot of players currently playing for Absa Premiership teams or senior teams in other countries.

General Secretary of Cosafa, Sue Destombes, admits that this tournament is a good launch pad for soccer players and their career.

“The number of players who have come through the under 20 … of course some teams start from the under 17, but the under 20 really has made the impact in terms of players from around the region and where they have gone on to; whether it’s plying their trade in South African clubs or overseas etc., this really is a good breeding ground and we hope that there will be talent scouts that are coming. There normally are.”

The tournament will start on the 6th of December with the winner set to be crowned on the 16th.

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