All is set for the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship, which kicks off tomorrow, 22 October, in South Africa, featuring a record number of 14 participating nations.
The Malawi women’s national football team, the Scorchers, who go into the tournament as defending champions, departed for South Africa earlier today.
Placed in Group B, the Scorchers will face Botswana, Madagascar, and Mauritius in the group stage. Their title defense begins on Wednesday, 23 October, with a match against Botswana at Gelvade Stadium. They will then take on Madagascar on 26 October before concluding the group stage against Mauritius on 28 October.
The Scorchers will be without key players Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, Chimwemwe Madise, Ireen Khumalo, Rose Kabzere, Chioma Okafor, and Vitumbiku Mkandawire, all of whom are unavailable due to club commitments.
Meanwhile, Group A features the hosts and tournament favorites, South Africa, alongside Namibia, Eswatini, and Seychelles. Group C includes Zambia, Angola, and Comoros, while Group D consists of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. Only the top team from each group will progress to the semi-finals.