The 2024 COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (officially known as the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 — COSAFA Qualifiers) was the 12th edition of the COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (and the 4th time the tournament served as the qualifiers for the continental final tournament), the international youth football championship organised by COSAFA for the men's under-17 national teams of Southern Africa. Mozambique was initially designated to host the tournament but was stripped of the hosting rights due to ongoing protests following the 2024 Mozambican general election. It was then moved to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zambia were the defending champions, having defeated South Africa 2–1 in the final of the previous edition, and they successfully retained their title by defeating Angola 2–1 in the final. Participation Participating teams Twelve of the 14 COSAFA member nations have entered the competition, which serves as the regional qualifying tournament for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Originally there were 2 qualification spots, but a third spot was added after the competition.
Note: All statistics exclude instances where the team was disqualified during the tournament. TeamAppearance Last appearance Previous best performance 2021 (Champions) 2022 (Fourth place) 2019 (Group stage) 2021 (Fourth place) 2021 (Group stage) 2022 (Third place) 2018 (Fourth place) 2022 (Group stage) 2022 (Group stage) 2022 (Runners-up) 2022 (Champions) 2018 (Group stage) Did not enter
Draw The draw was held on 5 September 2024 at 11:00 CET (UTC+2) at Maputo. The 12 teams were drawn into three groups of four teams, with hosts Mozambique seeded in Group A (position A1), the defending champions Zambia seeded in Group B (position B1) and South Africa seeded in Group C (position C1). The remaining 9 teams were allocated to two pots based on the results of the previous tournament edition and were drawn to the remaining positions.
SeedsPot 1Pot 2 Squads Each team was required to register a squad of 20 players for the tournament, with players born on or after 1 January 2008 eligible to participate.
Venues On 26 November 2024, it was announced that the tournament had been moved from the original host city, Maputo, Mozambique, to Johannesburg, South Africa, with two venues selected to host all matches. Johannesburg UJ Soweto StadiumUJ AW Muller Stadium Capacity: 8,000 Capacity: 1,500 Match officials The following officials were appointed to oversee the tournament: Referees
Nelson da Silva Joyce Seonyatseng Moemedi Thabologang Thembinkosi Dlamini Nothando Nkhumane Wilson Muianga Mweshitsama Naftal Samuel Nghipandulwa Noris Arissol Nonjabulo Ndlela Chola Chansa Brighton Chimene
Assistant Referees
Dorcus Chenset Mooketsi Mankanku Celumusa Phiri Siza Dlangamandla Lameck Phiri Nandipha Menze Warren Mulenga Dominica Melusi
Video Assistant Referees
Letticia Viana Abongile Tom
Assistant Video Assistant Referees
Akhona Makalima
Group stage Tie-breaking criteria for group playShould two teams finish on the same number of points in the pool phase, they will be separated by:
The result of their head-to-head meetings in the first instance; Goal difference in all group matches; Goals scored in all group matches; Disciplinary points Drawing of lots.
Should more than two teams finish level on points, the following criteria will be used:
The greatest number of points obtained in the matches between the teams concerned; The goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned; The greatest number of goals scored in the matches between the teams concerned; If after applying criteria (1) to (3), two teams are still equal, the criteria will be reapplied to matches played between the two teams in question to determine the final ranking of the two teams.
If this procedure does not allow for classification, the criteria listed below will be applied in the indicated order:
Goal difference in all group matches; The highest number of goals scored in all group matches; Fair Play points system.
Group A
Group B
Group C
Ranking of second-placed teams The best second-placed team from all groups qualified for the semi-finals.
Knockout stage In the knockout stage, a penalty shoot-out was used to decide the winner if necessary (no extra time was played). Bracket
Semi-finals Winners qualified for 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Final
Goalscorers
Awards The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament: Player of the Tournament: Mapalo Simute Golden Boot: Abel Nyirongo (7 goals) Golden Glove Gelson Dala Fair Play prize: Qualified teams for CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations The following three teams from COSAFA qualified for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Team Qualified onPrevious appearances in U-17 Africa Cup of Nations1 4 (1997, 1999, 2017, 2019) 2 (2015, 2023) 4 (2005, 2007, 2015, 2023)
See also 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup 2024 COSAFA U-17 Girls' Championship
References
External links
Championship page at Global Sport Archive