By Becker Semela:
Football fever is heating up in Mangaung, Free State province, after the official draw for the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup was held in Bloemfontein on Wednesday. The tournament, taking place from 4 to 15 June, will be hosted in Mangaung for the very first time. Matches will be played at the iconic Free State Stadium, a 2010 FIFA World Cup venue, as well as the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
South Africa, the host nation, has been drawn in Group A, alongside rivals Zimbabwe, last year’s bronze medallists Mozambique and Mauritius. The host will be looking to end their title drought, having last lifted the COSAFA Cup in 2021. Zimbabwe, who hold six COSAFA titles, is also hungry for silverware with their last triumph in 2018.
Speaking at the draw, Free State MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ntombizanele Sefuba and Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor, Gregory Nthathisi, concurred that the city is the heartbeat of South African football.
“Mangaung is the place of football lovers. You can see it with Siwelele sa Masele supporters. Their singing and energy from the first minute to the last is unmatched,” Sefuba said. Mayor Nthathisi echoed the sentiment and the excitement, saying the city is ready to welcome Africa’s best with open arms, as they have the capacity.
Group B will see defending champions Angola battling it out with Namibia, Malawi, and Lesotho. Angola famously thrashed Namibia 5–0 in last year’s final after a goalless group stage draw. North African giants Morocco, who reached the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are the headline team in Group C, joined by Madagascar and Eswatini in a three-team pool.
Group D features seven-time champions Zambia, along with Comoros and Botswana. Only the top team from each group will progress to the semi-finals. The winner of Group A will face the winner of Group D, while the winner of Group B takes on the top team from Group C.
This year’s tournament also serves as crucial preparation for national teams before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in September, offering up to five high-level matches. – @NewsSA_Online
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