New COSAFA draw puts Likuena against the wall 

TEBOHO JAFETA

MASERU – Likuena might face a hard time in Port Elizabeth following Madagascar’s withdrawal this week from this year’s edition of the COSAFA Cup which has forced a change in the tournament’s format.

The competition now comprises only two groups consisting of five teams each. It was earlier structured into three groups consisting of four teams each, after Comoros and Madagascar failed to honour the regional competition leaving Group B in which the two teams were with only Zambia and Malawi. 

The COSAFA Local Organising Committee, as a result decided on another draw which saw Group A, which previously consisted of South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini and Botswana – with Zambia a new addition; while Group B now comprises Namibia, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.  These changes mean that the two top teams from the two groups will head to the semifinals scheduled for July 16 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

The Leslie Notši-led Likuena will have to at least win two of their four matches to increase their chances of progressing to the semifinals in a group that has giants Zambia and the improving Botswana team. Likuena will battle it out against eSwatini in the tournament opener match at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on Tuesday.