COSAFA on Wednesday announced that the 2014 Senior Challenge Cup has been put off.
Last year, Zambia hosted and won the 2014 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
In a statement, COSAFA president Suketu Patel said his association regrets its failure to stage the competition this year.
“No one is more disappointed than I, but now we can only work even harder and look forward towards the hosting and sponsorship for the 2015 tournament.” said Patel.
“The COSAFA Cup plays a crucial role in helping develop the national teams of member associations and this year would have been of huge benefit as they prepare for qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
COSAFA had formally sought approval of the South African Football Association (SAFA) for the tournament to be staged in their country as requested by tournament sponsors.
But SAFA, who cited the non-availability of dates in November/December from the PSL as the reason, forced COSAFA to cancel the event.
Earlier this year, Botswana was selected to host the COSAFA Cup, but a short lead-time meant no suitable sponsor could be found for the event, after Botswana’s withdrawal
EAST & CENTRAL Senior Challenge CUP is better organized..than this so called COSAFA.Manje mafana aku SA do not always play ball because they are only interested in playing friendly games against European teams etc.How can you develop football with such football politics??