MBABANE – It is now official.
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) will not stage the 2026 COSAFA Cup, bringing an end to speculation over the fate of the region’s premier senior men’s football tournament.
The confirmation came from COSAFA Media Manager Lynda Greeff, who responded with a brief ‘No’ when asked whether the regional showpiece would be played this year. The decision means the annual tournament, traditionally held during the mid-year FIFA international window, will not take place in 2026.
The cancellation deals a massive blow to Sihlangu Semnikati, who now face a disastrous year-long competitive blackout. This follows their humiliating failure to qualify for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 group stages.
The coachless national team suffered a devastating setback after falling to unranked Eritrea in the two-legged preliminary round, losing 4-1 on aggregate. Eritrea won the first leg 2-0 in Meknes, Morocco, before finishing the job a week later at the Somhlolo National Stadium, securing a 2-1 victory in the return leg.
Although COSAFA has not yet issued an official explanation for the cancellation of the regional showpiece, the warning signs had been evident for several months. Earlier this year, the regional body struggled to secure a host for the COSAFA Women’s Championship, with no member association able to stage the tournament. COSAFA continued its search for a suitable host, highlighting the increasing challenges of organising regional competitions.
The same difficulties appear to have affected the senior men’s tournament. It had initially been pencilled in for the period before the ongoing FIFA World Cup, but venue challenges in South Africa forced COSAFA to explore alternative hosts.
Speaking at Sigwaca House, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu admitted that financial challenges played a defining role against the idea of bidding. Mngomezulu revealed that for any member association to successfully host a tournament of COSAFA’s magnitude, a massive capital outlay is required upfront.
The CEO explained that staging a regional tournament of that scale demands a baseline budget of E20 million simply to manage basic operational costs, hospitality and logistics. He noted that securing such funding poses a significant obstacle in the current financial climate.
Beyond the multi-million emalangeni price tag, Mngomezulu pointed out an even more critical roadblock: Eswatini’s ongoing stadium crisis. Under current continental and regional football regulations, matches must be played at facilities that meet strict international criteria. The country currently lacks a CAF Category A stadium, making a successful bid impossible. The recent election of a new COSAFA Executive Committee is also believed to have delayed planning for this year’s tournament.
The EFA added that it was still awaiting official communication from the regional football governing body regarding the tournament’s status. EFA Marketing and Communications Manager Muzi Radebe said: “The EFA has not received official correspondence from COSAFA regarding the matter.”
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Sihlangu Semnikati will have an extended break from competitive action following the cancellation of the 2026 COSAFA Cup. (File pic)