Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) has announced the postponement of this year’s Under-20 tournament due to financial constraints.
Zambia were set to host the tournament next month and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) already confirmed the Under-20 national football team’s participation.
However, the hosts have asked Cosafa to postpone the tournament after failing to get sponsors for the competition.
The hosts have also been forced to give up the hosting rights due to persistent power failures in the country that would disturb the broadcasting of the matches on television, one of the requirements from Cosafa.
“It’s a big blow. We were hoping to send the Under-20 to Zambia for the tournament, but it seems that Zambia is not ready to host the event,” FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said yesterday.
The economic crisis in Zambia also forced the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to postpone all league games after Zambia President Edgar Lunga declared last Sunday as a national day of prayer and fasting.
South Africa are the defending champions.
