Premier to launch Cosafa tournament

The 14 teams that will participate in the 2018 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament are expected to start arriving in the province from today (Thursday) ahead of the official launch set to be conducted by Premier Stan Mathabatha at Hoërskool Pietersburg (PHS) tomorrow (Friday).
Teams from Tanzania, Angola, Botswana, the Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia will be in the province to contest from Sunday (27 May) until 9 June.
Provincial Government spokesperson, Phuti Seloba indicated that Mathabatha will lead a carnival parade from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture‘s headquarters to PHS as part of the proceedings. He will be accompanied by the participating teams, members of his Executive Council, officials from Cosafa and South African Football Association (Safa). “The participating national soccer teams are expected to be at the launch and the parade and there will be a meet and greet session between 13:00 and 15:00 at the school. Around that time there will be a photo session with dignitaries and the trophy of the tournament,” Seloba said.
He also mentioned that they are excited to host the tournament and they are looking forward to be the great host. “We are very excited to be the host spectacle especially in Africa Month. This is an opportunity for us to showcase the good sport facilities we have in the province and also give an opportunity to talented soccer players in the African Continent to showcase their talent,” Seloba said.
Spokesperson for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Kola Maila said members of the community will have a chance to meet and greet the players from the national teams at PHS. “We are urging them to come in droves and enjoy the festivities,” Maila said.
Spokesperson for Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said all their facilities are ready and in pristine condition for the tournament. “We are more than ready for the tournament. Our three stadiums, new Peter Mokaba, old Peter Mokaba and Seshego stadium will showcase all 23 matches over a 14 days period. Entrance will be free for all matches for fans and soccer lovers,” Mothapo said
The opening match of the tournament will see Madagascar take on Mozambique at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Below is the list of other fixtures for the tournament.

First round group stage

Date     Kick-off                     fixture                                          venue
27/05 – 16:30    M2   Comoros vs Seychelles                 Old Peter Mokaba
28/05 – 17:00    M3    Botswana vs Angola                     Old Peter Mokaba
28/05 – 19:30    M4   Mauritius vs Malawi                     Old Peter Mokaba
29/05 – 17:00    M5   Mozambique vs Comoros            Seshego Stadium
29/05 – 19:30    M6   Seychelles vs Madagascar           Seshego Stadium
30/05 – 17:00    M7   Angola vs Mauritius                     Seshego Stadium
30/05 – 19:30    M8   Malawi vs Botswana                     Seshego Stadium
31/05 – 17:30    M9   Madagascar vs Comoros              Old Peter Mokaba
31/05 – 17:30    M10 Mozambique vs Seychelles          Seshego Stadium
01/06 – 17:30    M11 Botswana vs Mauritius                Old Peter Mokaba
01/06 – 17:30    M12 Angola vs Malawi                         Seshego Stadium

 Quarterfinals
02/06 – 15:00    M13 Zambia vs Namibia                      Old Peter Mokaba
02/06 – 17:30    M14 Lesotho vs Swaziland                  Old Peter Mokaba
03/06 – 15:00    M15 South Africa vs Winner of Group A           Old Peter Mokaba
03/06 – 17:30    M16 Zimbabwe vs Winner of Group B              Old Peter Mokaba

 Plate semifinals
05/06 – 17:00    M17 Loser M13 vs Loser M15             Old Peter Mokaba
05/06 – 19:30    M18 Loser M14 vs Loser M16             Old Peter Mokaba

 Cup semi-finals
06/06 – 17:00    M19 Winner M13 vs Winner M15     New Peter Mokaba
06/06 – 19:30    M20 Winner M14 vs Winner M16     New Peter Mokaba

 Plate final
08/06 – 17:00    M21 Winner M17 vs Winner M18     New Peter Mokaba

 Third-place play-off
08/06 – 19:30    M22 Loser M19 vs Loser M20             New Peter Mokaba

 Cup final
09/06 – 15:00    M23 Winner M19 vs Winner M20     New Peter Mokaba

Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com