Harambee Stars Set to Compete in COSAFA Cup Following Last-Minute Invitation
The Harambee Stars are poised to participate in the prestigious COSAFA Cup in southern Africa, having received a last-minute invitation to replace Malawi. The tournament is scheduled to take place in South Africa from June 26 to July 7.
Kenya was invited to the tournament, primarily featuring countries from southern Africa, after Malawi’s withdrawal. Nick Mwendwa, president of the Football Kenya Federation, confirmed this development on Sunday. The tournament will offer the national team additional experience following their matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
The tournament draw was conducted last Friday, placing Kenya likely in Group B alongside Zambia, Comoros, and Zimbabwe. The Harambee Stars recently faced Zimbabwe in the Four Nations tournament in March, securing a 3-1 victory to clinch the trophy, which should bolster their confidence heading into this competition.
Zambia, a record seven-time winner of the COSAFA Cup, aims to become the first team to win three consecutive titles if they can advance through the group stages.
In Group A, hosts South Africa and Botswana are set to clash in what is the most frequently played fixture in COSAFA Cup history. This year’s draw marks the ninth consecutive COSAFA Cup in which these neighbors have been pitted against each other, with Botswana still seeking their first outright victory in their 12 previous encounters.
Group A is rounded out by Mozambique and Eswatini, setting the stage for intense competition.
Last year’s runners-up, Lesotho, find themselves in Group C along with three-time champions Angola, 2015 winners Namibia, and Seychelles.
The pool matches will run from June 26 to July 3, with the semifinals scheduled for July 5. The final and the third-place playoff will take place on July 7.
The tournament format ensures that each country will play a minimum of three games and up to a maximum of five, providing ample opportunity for teams to demonstrate their prowess over the course of the competition.
