The 22nd edition of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup is currently under way as the top sides in the region battle it out for the coveted trophy in what is a busy time for national teams with Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. We add up the numbers on what is sure to be another thrilling tournament that you can catch live on SuperSport.
1 – Namibia’s triumph at the 2015 COSAFA Cup was their first in the competition and made them just the fifth country to lift the title in all. They could not add to that tally in 2022 as they narrowly lost 1-0 to Zambia after extra-time in the final. They also had a ‘first’ in 2016 when they hosted the tournament for the first time.
2 – Mozambique (1997 & 2009) and Eswatini (2016 & 2021) are the only sides to have won the bronze medal on more than one occasion. The Mambas might have won a third last year but were defeated 4-2 on penalties by West African guest nation Senegal following a 1-1 draw. Mozambique also have two silvers to their name in 2008 and 2016, but never gold!
3 – The South African coastal city of Durban will play host to the COSAFA Cup for the third time, having first staged the event in 2019. Durban is also home to the COSAFA Women’s Champions League and COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship.
3 – Lesotho reached the COSAFA Cup semifinals for three tournaments in a row between 2017 and 2019 but come up short on each occasion. They finished third in 2018, and fourth in 2017 and 2019. They did reach the final in 2000 but lost both legs 3-0 to Zimbabwe.
4 – South Africa have lifted the Plate trophy the most times having done so three years in a row between 2017 and 2019, and then again in 2022. They finally got their hands on the real thing again when they lifted the main trophy
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