The 2008 Cosafa Challenge Cup will be held under a new 16-team tournament-style format in Mpumalanga, South Africa played over 2 stages with 20 matches played from July 17 to August 2.
The preliminary group stage of the new-look Cosafa Challenge Cup will comprise of six teams namely Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, Swaziland, Lesotho, Seychelles, Mauritius and The Comoros Island.
The six teams in the preliminary round will play each other on a round-robin
League basis from July 17 to 19 with the top two qualifying to the final last-8 knockout stage of the Cosafa Cup that will run from July 24 to August 2.
There, they will be paired against the top 6 ranked teams of the Fifa rankings from the Cosafa zone who have been handed preliminary round byes.
The teams on bye are defending champions South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia including 3-time Cosafa Cup winners Angola and Zimbabwe.
The 2008 COSAFA Cup will be played at three venues over a period of 2 weeks with all preliminary group stage matches played in the Mpumapalnga towns of Secunda and Witbank.
The last-8 knockout stages, quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on July 19 at Witbank and Thulamashe- the latter venue to hosts the final on August 2.
South Africa beat 2006 winners Zambia 4-3 on post-match penalties in the 2008 2008 final after a scoreless draw played at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.
And the 2008 COSAFA Under-20 tournament will be held in Kimberley, South Africa from November 27 to December 7.
Draws to be made June 20 at the tournament venue.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions after beating hosts South Africa 3-0 in the finals last December in Mpumalanga at Thulamashe.
In other news, Felix Katongo, Clifford Mulenga, Isaac Chansa, Roger Kola and Kennedy Mweene are all expected to leave for Teheran on Friday to join Zambia ahead of Sundays friendly there against Iran.
Mulenga meanwhile arrived in the country on Monday and has been training with the Zambia U20 team in camp in Lusaka.
All the players will leave for the middle-east on the same flight as the Zambia Under-20 team who will be heading to Saudi Arabia to play a friendly international against that country’s Under-21 team.
19 players will comprise the Under-20 team after the withdrawal of Kola from the team.
Kola was the 20th member of the junior team after he was drafted into the senior side for the Iran match.
The Under-20 will play Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening and return home on Tuesday.
Comments Disabled To "Zambia Handed Bye in 2008 Cosafa Challenge Cup"
#1 Comment By Mbesuma On May 21, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
they leave me at line up
#2 Comment By anonymous On May 22, 2008 @ 12:37 am
#1
they leave you because you are unfit.u shud have stayed in RSA for another season before leaving for europe.what a shame that you now have to be considered as excess baggage and left out.go back to kaizer cheifs man.
#3 Comment By X-KILLER On May 22, 2008 @ 1:21 am
#1 very funny!
#4 Comment By T boz On May 22, 2008 @ 7:57 am
Is COSAFA serious about playing this tournament in South Africa?
#5 Comment By Ras Rated………….Helsinki,Finland. On May 22, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Mbesuma work hard man……..otherwise you will become a big let down or do you need a Mcdonnards job now?There is always room for you but you have to show the muzungu that you are fit enuff to run up and dow for 90 mins plus.Go for it if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#6 Comment By RN Pretoria On May 22, 2008 @ 8:54 am
If the attacks on foreigners persist, we should boycott tis COSAFA tournament.
#7 Comment By Travis Mills On May 22, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Mbesuma is still a young man, younger then ‘Tsunami’ Katongo, he should not be so greatly discredited. He has had a tough time since he left SA, but he was playing decent with Maritimo. He was unlucky to get an injury this year, and fall out of favour in general, as did all summer transfers in Bursaspor’s horrendous season.
If the attacks in SA continue, and evolve, perhaps a boycott is the right thing to be at least discussed.
#8 Comment By Seen from afar On May 22, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
I know Man U won, any news on the score Libya-Zed?
#9 Comment By Sibs. On May 22, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Seen from afar #8 the game is on tonight.
#10 Comment By ners On May 22, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
#8 are u very far from the ‘Boma’? Come in town & read Newspapers or may be u are too busy,sorry!
#11 Comment By Seen from afar On May 22, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
Thank you Sibs, I thought they played yesterday. #10 ners, I’m in old Traford the area of Manchester. No Zambian papers here!
#12 Comment By Enter the Dragon On May 22, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Wishing the Chipolopolo all the best.Its good to have a new coach as all players will be on their level best to try and win his heart and stay on the team.we need a win against Togo.Mbesuma I think your fairy tale dream is over.Go back to Roan and start all over.Back to shake shake its lacking in your system.
#13 Comment By Justice Kafusha, Denmark On May 22, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
#11 You have access to Zambian papers thru. the Internet whether in “Old Traford” or not. #12 Let us wait for Mbesuma to tell his own side of the story, I know aba ku Turkey ba lishupa sana. I think Mbesuma should come to Denmrak, Miti’s former club will welcome him and as a free agent for that matter
#14 Comment By Justice Kafusha, Denmark On May 22, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
#11 You have access to Zambian papers thru. the Internet whether in “Old Traford” or not. #12 Let us wait for Mbesuma to tell his own side of the story, I know aba ku Turkey ba lishupa sana. I think Mbesuma should come to Denmark, Miti’s former club will welcome him and as a free agent for that matter
#15 Comment By Justice Kafusha, Denmark On May 22, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
Ba Libya I always remember them from the 1982 AFCON, when these guys had to punch our former and late goalkeeper Ghost Mulenga (Red Arrows)as we were leading 0-1 thru. Peter Kaumba’s early goal. The guys punched Ghost during a corner kick and Ghost could not continue, but was replaced by Mike “spinks” Bwalya (Ba Mwansa as we knwe him ku Kawambwa) and Libya scored twice to deny a Peter Kaumba, Willie Phiri, Godfrey Munshya etc lead side a birth in the finals, the finals Libya went to loose to Ghana. Aba lungwana time for revenge
Cheers guys
#16 Comment By Justice Kafusha, Denmark On May 22, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
Ba Libya I always remember them from the 1982 AFCON, when these guys had to punch our former and late goalkeeper Ghost Mulenga (Red Arrows)as we were leading 0-1 thru. Peter Kaumba’s early goal. The guys punched Ghost during a corner kick and Ghost could not continue, but was replaced by Mike “spinks” Bwalya (Ba Mwansa as we knew him ku Kawambwa) and Libya scored twice to deny a Peter Kaumba, Willie Phiri, Godfrey Munshya etc lead side a birth in the finals, the finals Libya went to loose to Ghana. Aba lungwana time for revenge
Cheers guys
#17 Comment By Seen from afar On May 22, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
True, true, true Justice. The internet is great for keeping touch and i’m glad Zed has some great sites…
#18 Comment By Sibs. On May 22, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Seen from afar#11 maybe you had a hang over from the Man Utd win last night.Great game we had last night.I am sure you were kept busy in the night.Like the guys said check the papers on the net.
#19 Comment By Chapi On May 22, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
#16 Justice Kafusha
Is it the same game that Denis Liwewe nicknamed John Kalusa as LIBYA?
Anyway, all the best to the national team as we take on Libya.
#20 Comment By Whisper On May 22, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Guys what is the result against Libya?
#21 Comment By Anonymous On May 22, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
Justice you must be an old time Zambian soccer fan, thanks for the history!
#22 Comment By Matafwali On May 23, 2008 @ 12:09 am
I remember that tournament ba Justice. That’s the time we beat the defending champions Nigeria 3-0. Good old glory days! On Mbesuma, wish him all the best because he is a talent. Hopefully, he’s humble enough to do whatever it takes to start over. Like #7 stated, he’s got youth on his side.
#23 Comment By nengu On May 23, 2008 @ 12:39 am
mbesuma has aimself 2blame,he should hav known better not make food his best frend! am glad we have a new couch,am sure he wil play the boy on merit!
#24 Comment By Seen from afar On May 23, 2008 @ 1:03 am
Well, you know Sibs. I never liked Man U, because they used to win to much and everyone supports them because they win, but you have to take your hat off to them. In the face of Chelsea who bought all their star players for Zillions, the owner sacked Mourinhio for no good reason. Ferguson who has developed all his players. In that game you saw the difference, the dicpline, structure and team spirit MU has, it’s what got them through it even when C was beating them up. Amazing game, and the justified team prevailed in my opinion.
It was actually pretty quiet last night and me, i don’t really drink, but yah i think elsewhere people would have been. These guys are almost used to winning…
#25 Comment By Seen from afar On May 23, 2008 @ 1:08 am
… still, great game, great spectacle!
Great story Justice, good luck to the boys!
#26 Comment By KKM On May 23, 2008 @ 1:58 am
Zambia FA’s president Kalusha arrives in Sierra Leone
President of Zambia Football Association (FAZ) Kalusha Bwalya has inspected the banned Sierra Leone National Stadium to ascertain whether it has met FIFA”s international standards.
According to a statement issued to the press in Freetown on Wednesday Kalusha would report his findings to football world governing body, FIFA.
Kalusha visited the football pitch, dressing room, conference hall, guest room for FIFA personnel and officials of visiting teams, the safety and security appar a tus, toilet facilities and stands.
The Zambia FA President was received at the Lungi International Airport by senior officials of the Sierra L
#27 Comment By nengu On May 23, 2008 @ 7:25 am
hey somebody to update me on zed vs libya
#28 Comment By Sibs. On May 23, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
Seen from afar # 24.Some of us have been supporting Man U for over 25 years.Even when the team was in the shadow of the Liverpool of the Eighties we still supported it.Remember when L.Pool used to be untouchable with the likes of J.Barnes,Phil Neal,I.Rush,Bruce
Grobbler(Zim Boy)etc.
Although others support a team cos the have stars.Today its Arsenal after 5 year its Chelsea.
#29 Comment By P@nyo P@ko On May 23, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Bafik@l@
#30 Comment By P@nyo P@ko On May 23, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Next time we need Zed vs Man U!! White wash!!
#31 Comment By muza.com On May 23, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
Mbesuma should try rugby, he has a chance to shine in RSA, or England, think of diversification man, Zambia needs rugby players too like one of your bulk and stature, eat more macdonalds, frites, ice cream, pies etc.
#32 Comment By muzungu malawi On July 16, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
wy are talking about mbesuma and byinthu vinandi talk about kanyenda, mwafulirwa the cosafa will come to malawi
#33 Comment By t-ice On July 30, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
mbesuma,dude u need to go on a diet man…very serious.i mean i’ve seen u play and you really good..very good,maybe better that our ronaldo at man u..howz about getting serious with your life,diet and make us proud!