The highly anticipated 22nd edition of the COSAFA Cup is set to captivate football fans across Southern Africa from 05 to 16 July.
Hollywoodbets, the leading South African betting company, proudly announces its continued partnership as the naming rights sponsor for the COSAFA Cup tournament for the second consecutive year.
Since its inception in 1997, the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup has served as a platform for launching numerous football stars and has played an integral role in shaping the Southern African football landscape. This prestigious competition has witnessed countless magical matches and unforgettable moments that have etched themselves into the folklore of football in the Sub-Saharan African region.
The draw, held in May following COSAFA’s Annual General Meeting in Johannesburg, paved the way for an exciting competition featuring the 12 competing teams divided into three groups, ensuring intense battles and little margin for error.
The tournament features an intriguing structure where the top team from each group advances to the semi-finals, alongside the best-placed runner-up.
The winner of Group B will face the winner of Group C in the semi-finals, while the top team in Group A will meet the best runner-up.
The excitement kicks off on July 5 at the King Zwelithini Stadium, with the clash between Eswatini and Botswana at 15h00 CAT. The opening day also features a captivating encounter between host nation South Africa and Namibia at the same venue, scheduled for 18h00, promising an enthralling start to the finest regional competition in Africa.
Defending champions Zambia will begin their campaign with a titanic tussle against Malawi on July 6 at 18h00, while Seychelles and Comoros go head-to-head in an all-island clash in Group B. Group C fixtures kick off on July 7, with Mauritius taking on Lesotho at 15h00, followed by a Lusophone derby between Mozambique and Angola at 18h00.
The final rounds of fixtures in Groups A and B will be played on July 11, utilising both the Chatsworth Stadium and Princess Magogo Stadium.
The pool stages will conclude the following day with the final round in Group C. The highly anticipated semi-finals are scheduled for July 14, featuring the top team from Group B against the top side in Group C, and the winner of Group A facing the best-placed runner-up across the three pools.
The tournament will culminate in a thrilling third-place play-off on July 16 at 15h00, followed by the grand finale of the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup at 18h00, both hosted at the iconic King Zwelithini Stadium.
Hollywoodbets’ Senior Football Sponsorship Coordinator, Indira Albuquerque, expressed delight in the partnership and the opportunity to invest in the region through sports.
She said,” As we eagerly anticipate the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup, we invite fans to join us in celebrating the rich history and exciting future of Southern African football.
This year’s tournament promises to be another memorable edition, showcasing the talent and passion that defines the COSAFA region.”
Artur de Almeida e Silva, COSAFA President said, “We are delighted to have Hollywoodbets as our title sponsor for the 2023 COSAFA Cup, a continuation of our growing partnership in developing Southern African football.
It goes without saying that support from sponsors is crucial in allowing COSAFA to achieve our mandate and Hollywoodbets have been a loyal and valued partner in this regard over several years.
“Together we can further the careers of male and female players from our region by putting on world-class tournaments that provide an opportunity to represent their country at the highest level. And it is not just players who benefit coaches, referees and administrators all further their knowledge and learn new skills. We are looking forward to also welcoming Hollywoodbets on board as sponsors of the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship that gets under way in August, another opportunity to showcase the incredible football talent we have in the Southern African region.”
