COSAFA Women U-20 squad camp confirmed
MBABANE – This year’s COSAFA Women Under-20 (U-20) Championship will no longer kick-off next week but later next month.
This has given the Eswatini Under-20 squad more time to prepare for the tournament, which was initially for March 31 to April 9 but has since been postponed to April 20 until end of April.
The squad is already busy with preparations but had not yet resumed full-time camp. Following the latest development, the Coach, Simphiwe Simelane said they would go into full-time camp from April 2 at the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Lobamba.
It was gathered that some countries failed to register on time so the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) gave them more time to register to allow more competition for the participating countries.
At least eight teams are expected to compete this year and they will be divided into two groups of four, to play point system of one-legged games, with the top two teams per group advancing to the semi-finals.
Trimmed
The Eswatini team squad Coach, former Manzini Wanderers Ladies and senior national team Sitsebe player, as well as Royal Leopard Ladies coach said the team is yet to confirm a 23-player squad for the COSAFA tournament. This was after she had called up 26 players. “I have a 23-player squad already but I still have to get approval, before I can release the names and the number may still be trimmed further to 20 players,” she explained.
Simelane also said the team would play their friendly matches at Somhlolo National Stadium, next to the camp site, for the COSAFA preparations. She further highlighted that the final squad would be announced tomorrow after submission and approval of the EFA.
She also noted that while Young Buffaloes were the team of the moment, they were older to play in this tournament. The squad has several players from rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs, Manzini Wanderers and Elangeni Ladies. “Young Buffaloes players will be called up in the more senior tournaments as they are eligible there,” emphasised the coach.
Eswatini U-20 women last took part in a major tournament three years ago, at The World Cup Qualifiers against
They drew 0-0 at home and then went on to lose in their away game 2-1 in a fairly balanced match.