COSAFA Women’s Champs kick off road to Brazil

MBABANE, ESWATINI – Finally!

The 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship is set to take centre stage in South Africa from February 18 to March 1, 2026. The tournament returns to the calendar after being postponed last year when the regional football body failed to secure a host nation.

With the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 fast approaching, the tournament could hardly come at a better time. It offers the region’s leading sides the perfect competitive platform to fine-tune their squads. For South Africa, Zambia, and Malawi, this regional showpiece is a vital opportunity to sharpen their edge and build momentum ahead of a demanding continental campaign.

Eswatini’s senior national team, Sitsebe Samhlekazi, will also be heading to the tournament to compete against the region’s best. Meanwhile, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe, noted that they have not yet received formal correspondence regarding the specifics of the event.

The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON will be staged in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, with far more than continental pride on the line. The tournament also serves as the official qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. For the COSAFA representatives, this regional championship is not merely preparation; it marks the beginning of a high-stakes journey toward the global finals in South America.

In the latest episode of The COSAFA Show Podcast, the team unpacks why the COSAFA Women’s Championship has become such a crucial fixture on the football calendar. The discussion focuses on how the tournament drives player development across the region, increases regional competitiveness between established powerhouses, and builds the confidence necessary to take on Africa’s best in Morocco.

The episode features COSAFA Executive Director, Sue Destombes, who shares her insights into the vision behind the tournament. Destombes discusses the growing impact of the championship and reveals what else is in the pipeline for COSAFA women’s football throughout 2026 and beyond.

As the countdown to February 18 begins, all eyes will be on South Africa to see which stars will rise and which teams look ready to conquer the continent—and eventually, the world.