Organisers of the 2018 COSAFA Cup say preparations will still have to continue even after the late withdrawal of Namibia from the tournament.
The withdrawal of Namibia has left the tournament with only 11 teams instead of the usual 12.
Namibia are a late withdrawal from the 2018 MOPANI Copper Mines COSAFA Under-20 Championships in Kitwe, Zambia, precipitating a change in format for the competition that will now have one group with only three teams. https://t.co/PV2xZbvilg pic.twitter.com/qAzTibWUP6
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) November 30, 2018
Group B will now consist of the defending champions South Africa, eSwatini and Mauritius.
Organisers were unable to secure a last minute replacement in Group B to take the place of Namibia.
COSAFA General-Secretary Sue Destombes says all is well for the tournament to start.
Destombes says all countries will play three matches each, with the top finishers in each group advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament; however this will not be the case in Group B.
“The decision was that we should follow the regulations as closely as possible…Group B will still have the opportunity to put up a second place and perhaps irrespective they will come through as the second best; who knows.”
