South Africa has agreed to host the 2019 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup.
The tournament will be held in the coastal city of Durban from May 25-June 8.
South Africa has accepted to be the host with just over a month to prepare for the tournament after ZIFA reneged on an agreement to host because the Zimbabwean government refused to provide guarantees.
According to the COSAFA website, the regional body’s president, Phillip Chiyangwa confirmed the competition will return to South Africa again. Said Chiyangwa:
We are delighted to host what we believe will be the best ever COSAFA Cup in Durban, a city steeped in sporting history with the most magnificent facilities.
Apart from the prestige of being crowned regional champions, there is also much more for competing teams to play for this year, with not only the Africa Cup of Nations finals Egypt but also the 2020 African Nations Championship qualifiers in July and August.
At COSAFA we pride ourselves in the opportunities we give our nations to compete at the highest level, and to help develop our teams for continental action.
We extend our warmest thanks to SAFA and the eThekwini Municipality for partnering with us on this event and we are sure that all the teams will derive great benefit from their stay in South Africa.
The semi-final and final of the tournament will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi and the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu to be used earlier in the competition.