MBABANE – The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has announced a significant rule change for the upcoming Region V Youth Games in Namibia.
Extra time has been scrapped for all football matches.
The regional football body, under whose banner the football tournaments at the Region V Games will be played, confirmed yesterday that the new rule applies to both the Under-20 men’s and women’s competitions, in which Eswatini will be participating in. “There will be no extra time played in all knockout fixtures. Tied matches will go straight to penalties, including the final,” COSAFA stated.
In addition, COSAFA outlined its disciplinary rules for the tournament. Players who accumulate two yellow cards will face a one-match suspension.
However, any bookings received during the group stage will be expunged before the knockout phase, unless a player receives two yellow cards in their final group stage game, in which case the suspension will be carried over.
A straight red card will also result in a one-match ban.
Should a player be sent off twice during the tournament, they will be suspended for the remainder of the competition and take no further part.
Eswatini’s campaign is set to begin on Saturday, July 5, with matches against Angola and Botswana.
The team will be aiming to finish as group winners or runners-up to secure a place in the knockout stages.
Leave a comment