The 2025 COSAFA Cup, officially known as the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2025, is set to take place in Mangaung (Bloemfontein), South Africa, from June 4 to 15. This marks the 24th edition of the annual regional football tournament organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA). Notably, this is the first time Mangaung will host the tournament, with matches scheduled at two venues: the Free State Stadium and the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium.

Participating Teams and Group Draw

Fourteen teams will compete in this year’s tournament, including guest nation Morocco, making its debut in the competition. The teams have been divided into four groups1

• Group A: South Africa (hosts), Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe

• Group B: Angola (defending champions), Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho

• Group C: Morocco, Madagascar, Eswatini

• Group D: Zambia, Comoros, Botswana

The group stage draw was conducted on May 21, 2025

Tournament Format

The tournament will follow a group stage format, with the top team from each group advancing to the semifinals. The semifinals will feature the winner of Group A facing the winner of Group D, and the winner of Group B facing the winner of Group C. This structure ensures a competitive pathway to the final, scheduled for June 15

Venues

Matches will be held at two stadiums in Mangaung:

• Free State Stadium: A venue with a capacity of 42,000, which hosted matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

• Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium: A stadium with a capacity of 22,000, serving as a key sports facility in the region.

Broadcast and Streaming

The tournament will be broadcast on SABC and SuperSport, providing extensive coverage for fans across the region. Additionally, matches will be streamed live on FIFA+, offering global access to the games.

Historical Context

Angola enters the tournament as the defending champions, having secured their fourth COSAFA Cup title in 2024. Zambia remains the most successful team in the competition’s history, boasting seven titles.

The inclusion of Morocco adds a new dimension to the tournament, bringing experience from their historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

As the tournament approaches, teams are finalizing their preparations, and fans eagerly anticipate a showcase of Southern African football talent.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official COSAFA website: