2025 COSAFA Under-17 Championship

2025 COSAFA U-17
Youth Championship
Tournament details
Host countryZimbabwe
Dates11–20 September
Teams12
Venue2 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions South Africa (4th title)
Runners-up Angola
Third place Mozambique
Fourth place Comoros
Tournament statistics
Matches played22
Goals scored79 (3.59 per match)
Top scorer(s)Angola Pedro Antonio
(8 goals)
Best playerSouth Africa Omphemetse Sekgoto
Best goalkeeperAngola Gelson Joaquim Dala
Fair play award Mozambique
← 2024
2026 →

The 2025 COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (officially known as the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 — COSAFA Qualifiers) was the 13th edition of the COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (and the 5th time the tournament served as the qualifiers for the continental final tournament), the international youth football championship organised by COSAFA for the men's under-17 national teams of Southern Africa. Zimbabwe was the host of the tournament.

Zambia were the defending champions, having defeated Angola 2–1 in the final of the previous edition,[1] but failed to make it past the group stage.[2] South Africa won their fourth title defeating Angola 2–1 in the final.

Participation

Participating teams

Twelve of the 14 COSAFA member nations entered the competition, which served as the regional qualifying tournament for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Note: All statistics exclude instances where the team was disqualified during the tournament.

Team Appearance Last appearance Previous best performance
 Angola 8th 2024 (Runners-Up) Champions (2018, 2021)
 Botswana 10th 2024 (Group Stage) Third place (2002)
 Comoros 3rd 2024 (Group stage) Group stage (2019)
 Eswatini 9th 2024 (Group Stage) Runners-up (2002)
 Lesotho 9th 2024 (Group stage) Fourth place (2002)
 Madagascar 4th 2017 (Group stage) Group stage (2001, 2016, 2017)
 Malawi 12th 2024 (Group Stage) Champions (2001)
 Mauritius 7th 2024 (Group Stage) Runners-up (2017)
 Mozambique 7th 2024 (Group stage) Runners-up (1994, 2019)
 South Africa 12th 2024 (Semi-finalist) Champions (1994, 2002, 2020)
 Zambia 11th 2024 (Champions) Champions (2017, 2019, 2022, 2024)
 Zimbabwe 7th 2024 (Semi-finalist) Champions (2007)
Did not enter

Draw

The draw was held on 5 August 2025 at 11:30 CAT (UTC+2) at Johannesburg. The 12 teams were drawn into three groups of four teams, with hosts Zimbabwe seeded in Group A (position A1), the defending champions Zambia seeded in Group B (position B1) and Angola seeded in Group C (position C1). The remaining 9 teams were allocated to two pots based on the results of the previous tournament edition and were drawn to the remaining positions.[3][4]

Seeds Pot 1 Pot 2

Squads

Each team was required to register a squad of 20 players for the tournament, with players born on or after 1 January 2009 eligible to participate.[5]

Venues

Harare
Ngoni Stadium Hearts Stadium
Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: 5,000

Match officials

The following officials were appointed to officiate the tournament:

Referees
  • Angola Nelson da Silva
  • Botswana Keabetswe Dintwa
  • Comoros Moustoifa Kalido
  • Lesotho Lebalang Mokete
  • Madagascar Josianno Todihajaniaina
  • Malawi Eness Gumbo[a]
  • Malawi Godfrey Nkhakananga
  • Namibia Mweshitsama Naftal
  • Namibia Antsino Twanyanyukwa[a]
  • Seychelles Noris Arissol
  • South Africa Luxolo Badi[a]
  • Zambia Hillary Hambaba[a]
  • Zimbabwe Thanks Nyahuye
  • Zimbabwe Lawrence Zimondi
Assistant Referees
  • Botswana Ookeditse Keitseope
  • Comoros Moustoifa Elmahfoudhe
  • Eswatini Zamani Simelane
  • Eswatini Banele Thwala
  • Lesotho Siza Dlangamandla
  • Madagascar Lareunion Miladera
  • Malawi Samuel Fudzulani
  • Namibia Alex Lumponjani
  • South Africa Kgara Mokoena[b]
  • Zambia Trywell Nyirenda[b]
  • Zimbabwe Dominica Melusi
Video Assistant Referees
  • Zimbabwe Brighton Chimene
Assistant Video Assistant Referees
  • Namibia Alex Lumponjani
  • Seychelles Shaji Padayachy
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d Main Referee and Video assistant referee
  2. ^ a b Assistant Referee and Assistant video assistant referee

Group stage

All times are local CAT (UTC+2).

COSAFA announced the tournament schedule on 19 August 2025.[6]

The top team of each group, along with the best second-placed team, advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Mozambique 3 2 1 0 5 0 +5 7 Semi-finals
2  Comoros 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3  Zimbabwe (H) 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2 1
4  Eswatini 3 0 1 2 0 7 −7 1
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Comoros 3–0 Eswatini
  • Ahamada 45+2'
  • M. Ali 86'
  • Mohamed 90+4'
 Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)
Zimbabwe 0–1 Mozambique
Report Nhabanga 8'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Mozambique 0–0 Comoros
Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Josianno Todihajaniaina (Madagascar)
Zimbabwe 0–0 Eswatini
Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Mweshitsama Naftal (Namibia
Eswatini 0–4 Mozambique
Report
  • Nhabanga 60'
  • Machava 73'
  • Lazaro 82', 90+3'
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
Zimbabwe 2–3 Comoros
 Report
  • K. Ali 13'
  • Ahamada 77'
  • M. Ali 84'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana)

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Africa 3 3 0 0 13 2 +11 9 Semi-finals
2  Malawi 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6
3  Zambia 3 1 0 2 6 7 −1 3
4  Madagascar 3 0 0 3 3 13 −10 0
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Madagascar 1–3 Malawi
  • Rambeloson 90+7' (pen.)
 Report
  • Maziya 15'
  • Lumbe 26'
  • Rakotoharimalala 70' (o.g.)
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho)
Zambia 0–4 South Africa
Report
  • Sekgoto 2'
  • Molepo 27' (pen.)
  • Mhlongo 36'
  • Mbuti 74' (o.g.)
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana)
South Africa 5–1 Madagascar
  • Molepo 26' (pen.)
  • Mhlongo 31', 38', 69' (pen.)
  • Simana 56'
 Report Rambeloson 15'
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho)
Zambia 1–2 Malawi
Kunda 21' Report Lumbe 30', 45+9' (pen.)
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Malawi 1–4 South Africa
  • Rundles 88'
 Report
  • Simana 25', 64'
  • Molepo 54'
  • Madondo 90+9'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Mweshitsama Naftal (Namibia)
Zambia 5–1 Madagascar
  • Chipelu 7', 90+7'
  • Simute 43'
  • Lungu 65'
  • Musonda 83'
 Report
  • Razanadrakoto 40'
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Thanks Nyahuye (Zimbabwe)

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Angola 3 3 0 0 17 0 +17 9 Semi-finals
2  Lesotho 3 1 1 1 3 7 −4 4
3  Botswana 3 0 2 1 1 6 −5 2
4  Mauritius 3 0 1 2 3 11 −8 1
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Mauritius 2–3 Lesotho
  • Kee 15'
  • Sunnasee 59' (pen.)
 Report
  • Makhupane 8'
  • Masithela 24'
  • Leanya 41'
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
Angola 5–0 Botswana
  • Chianica 16'
  • António 45+2', 64'
  • Muanha 61'
  • Morais 89'
 Report
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Luxolo Badi (South Africa)
Botswana 1–1 Mauritius
Koketso 41' (pen.) Report Kee 52'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Lawrence Zimondi (Zimbabwe)
Angola 5–0 Lesotho
  • Francisco 4' (pen.)
  • Chianica 20'
  • Luvumbo 29', 53', 90'
 Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Mweshitsama Naftal (Namibia)
Lesotho 0–0 Botswana
Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Josianno Todihajaniaina (Madagascar)
Angola 7–0 Mauritius
  • António 15', 20', 45+7' (pen.), 73', 84'
  • Muanha 86'
  • Perrine 90+4' (o.g.)
 Report
Hearts Stadium, Harare
Referee: Luxolo Badi (South Africa)

Ranking of second-placed teams

The best second-placed team qualified for the semi-finals.[5]

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 A  Comoros 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7 Semi-finals
2 B  Malawi 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6
3 C  Lesotho 3 1 1 1 3 7 −4 4
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

Knockout stage

Bracket

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
18 September – Harare
 
 
 South Africa7
 
20 September – Harare
 
 Comoros0
 
 South Africa2
 
18 September – Harare
 
 Angola1
 
 Mozambique0
 
 
 Angola1
 
Third place
 
 
20 September – Harare
 
 
 Comoros0
 
 
 Mozambique3

Semi-finals

Winners qualified for 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa 7–0 Comoros
  • Majola 2'
  • Sekgoto 5', 29'
  • Mbilini 63', 66'
  • Mhlongo 81' (pen.)
  • Madondo 90+5'
 Report
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)
Mozambique 0–1 Angola
Report Francisco 10'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Mweshitsama Naftal (Namibia)

Third place playoff

Winners qualified for 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Comoros 0–3 Mozambique
Report
  • Mubai 38'
  • Lazaro 57', 75'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana)

Final

South Africa 2–1 Angola
  • Sekgoto 5'
  • Mbongo 79'
 Report
  • António 67'
Ngoni Mwos Stadium, Harare

Goalscorers

There were 79 goals scored in 22 matches, for an average of 3.59 goals per match.

8 goals

  • Angola Pedro Antonio

5 goals

  • South Africa Thandanani Mhlongo

4 goals

  • Mozambique Marcos Lazaro
  • South Africa Omphemetse Sekgoto

3 goals

  • Angola Paulo Luvumbo
  • Malawi James Lumbe
  • South Africa Mpho Molepo
  • South Africa Inganathi Simama

2 goals

  • Angola Costantino Chianica
  • Angola Eliseu Francisco
  • Angola Jairo Muanha
  • Comoros Fasifdine Ahamada
  • Comoros Mathis Ali
  • Madagascar William Rambeloson
  • Mauritius Paw Kee
  • Mozambique Chauson Nhabanga
  • South Africa Ntokozo Madondo
  • South Africa Mpho Mbilini
  • Zambia Kelvin Chipelu

1 goal

  • Angola Manuel Morais
  • Angola Aphelele Majola
  • Botswana Marcus Koketso
  • Comoros Kais Ali
  • Comoros Fahad Mohamed
  • Lesotho Fisane Leanya
  • Lesotho Lechesa Makhupane
  • Lesotho Morena Masithela
  • Madagascar Tinai Razanadrakoto
  • Malawi Joel Maziya
  • Malawi Eli Rundles
  • Mauritius Nicholas Fani
  • Mozambique Kristff Machava
  • Mozambique Joaquim Mubai
  • South Africa Siyabonga Mbongo
  • Zambia Albert Kunda
  • Zambia Steven Lungu
  • Zambia Caleb Musonda
  • Zambia Mapalo Simute
  • Zimbabwe Tadiwa Chakuchichi

1 own goal

  • Comoros Rayad Aboudou
  • Madagascar Irintsoa Rakotoharimalala
  • Mauritius Elvino Andre
  • Zambia Emmanuel Mbuti

The COSAFA Technical Study Group announced the group stage Best XI as follows:

Goalkeepers Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Group Stage Best XI

Mozambique Vilanculos

Angola Costa
Mozambique Vera
Comoros Amahada

Angola Silva
Mozambique De Figueiredo
Mozambique Nhabanga
South Africa Molepo

Comoros Mchangama
Angola Antonio
South Africa Mhlongo

Coach: Angola Mario Catala

Awards

The COSAFA U-17 Championship technical study group selected the following as the best of the tournament.[7]

Award Player
Best Player South Africa Omphemetse Sekgoto
Top Goal scorer Angola Pedro Antonio
Best Goalkeeper Angola Gelson Joaquim Dala
Fairplay team  Mozambique

Qualified teams for CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

The following three teams from COSAFA qualified for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Team Qualified on Previous appearances in U-17 Africa Cup of Nations1
 Angola 18 September 2025 5 (1997, 1999, 2017, 2019, 2025)
 South Africa 18 September 2025 5 (2005, 2007, 2015, 2023, 2025)
 Mozambique 20 September 2025 2 (1995, 2001)

See also

References

  1. ^ "FAZ HAILS ZAMBIA U17 BOYS FOR WINNING COSAFA TOURNAMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA". africatopsports.com. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  2. ^ Mabuka, Dennis (15 September 2025). "COSAFA U17: Zambia and Madagascar bow out - Africa Top Sports". Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  3. ^ "DRAWS CONCLUDED FOR CWCL AND U17 AFCON COSAFA QUALIFIERS". Council of Southern Africa Football Associations. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  4. ^ "CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 – COSAFA Qualifiers: Groups Announced". cafonline.com. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Regulations for the COSAFA Under-17 Boys' and Girls' championships". cosafa.com. COSAFA. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  6. ^ "FIXTURES RELEASED FOR BOYS' UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER". cafonline.com. Confederation of African Football. 19 August 2025. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. ^ Mabuka, Dennis (21 September 2025). "COSAFA U17: Mozambique defeat Comoros in third-place playoff contest - Africa Top Sports". Retrieved 22 September 2025.
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