By Mercy Chewe
The Zambia National Team’s opening match at the 2021 COSAFA Cup in South Africa will be delayed following the withdrawal of Comoros from the regional championship.
Chipolopolo were due to kick off their COSAFA Cup defence on July 7 in a Group B opener against Comoros.
Defending champions Zambia will now have to wait another seven days before kicking off their 2021 COSAFA Cup campaign following Comoros’ announcement on Saturday that they have withdrawn from this year’s tournament.
Chipolopolo will now commence their COSAFA Cup defence on July 10 against Madagascar and will play Malawi in their final Group B fixture on July13.
In a statement issued on Monday, COSAFA said: “There has been a late change to the fixtures for the 2021 COSAFA Cup after Comoros were forced to pull out of the competition due their government’s restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Comoros was drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Zambia, Malawi, and Madagascar, with their absence now leaving three teams remaining in the pool for the regional showpiece competition that will be staged in Nelson Mandela Bay from July 6-18.”
Group winners from the three pool tournament and the best runners up will advance to the semifinals on July 16.
