Hours after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations(FUFA) announced their participation in this year’s edition of the COSAFA, the Senior Women’s football team have learnt their opponents for the group.

The Crested Cranes avoided defending champions South Africa and pooled in group C alongside Zambia, Namibia and Eswatini.

The side comes into the tournament as guests after FUFA requesting COSAFA for participation. They see it as a platform to prepare for the 2022 AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia in October.

The last time a Ugandan side participated in the COSAFA was in 2019, as the women’s U17 side went on to win the inaugural tournament in Mauritius, a 2-1 victory over South Africa.

South Africa ‘the Banyana Banyana” are both the defending and record champions having won the coveted trophy seven times in the previous eight editions.

South Africa, who are also the hosts and favourites have been placed alongside Angola, Malawi and Mozambique as they aim to embark on a defence.

For starters, COSAFA is CECAFA’s equivalent and features teams or countries from the Southern part of Africa.

The tournament, which is the ninth edition, will be played between 15th-26th September 2021 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

COSAFA Groups

Group A: South Africa, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique

Group B: Botswana, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zimbabwe

Group C: Zambia, Namibia, Eswatini, Uganda.