The 2025 COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (officially known as the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 — COSAFA Qualifiers) was the 13th edition of the COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship (and the 5th 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. Zimbabwe was the host of the tournament.
Zambia were the defending champions, having defeated Angola 2–1 in the final of the previous edition, but failed to make it past the group stage. South Africa won their fourth title defeating Angola 2–1 in the final.
Participation Participating teams Twelve of the 14 COSAFA member nations entered the competition, which served as the regional qualifying tournament for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Note: All statistics exclude instances where the team was disqualified during the tournament. TeamAppearance Last appearance Previous best performance 2024 (Runners-Up) 2024 (Group Stage) 2024 (Group stage) 2024 (Group Stage) 2024 (Group stage) 2017 (Group stage) 2024 (Group Stage) 2024 (Group Stage) 2024 (Group stage) 2024 (Semi-finalist) 2024 (Champions) 2024 (Semi-finalist) Did not enter
Draw The draw was held on 5 August 2025 at 11:30 CAT (UTC+2) at Johannesburg. The 12 teams were drawn into three groups of four teams, with hosts Zimbabwe seeded in Group A (position A1), the defending champions Zambia seeded in Group B (position B1) and Angola 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 2009 eligible to participate.
Venues Harare Ngoni StadiumHearts Stadium Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: 5,000
Match officials The following officials were appointed to officiate the tournament: Referees
Nelson da Silva Keabetswe Dintwa Moustoifa Kalido Lebalang Mokete Josianno Todihajaniaina Eness Gumbo Godfrey Nkhakananga Mweshitsama Naftal Antsino Twanyanyukwa Noris Arissol Luxolo Badi Hillary Hambaba Thanks Nyahuye Lawrence Zimondi
Assistant Referees
Ookeditse Keitseope Moustoifa Elmahfoudhe Zamani Simelane Banele Thwala Siza Dlangamandla Lareunion Miladera Samuel Fudzulani Alex Lumponjani Kgara Mokoena Trywell Nyirenda Dominica Melusi
Video Assistant Referees
Brighton Chimene
Assistant Video Assistant Referees
Alex Lumponjani Shaji Padayachy
Notes
Group stage
COSAFA announced the tournament schedule on 19 August 2025.
The top team of each group, along with the best second-placed team, advanced to the semi-finals.
Tie-breaking criteria for group playShould two teams finish on the same number of points in the pool phase, they were 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 was 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 qualified for the semi-finals.
Knockout stage
Bracket
Semi-finals Winners qualified for 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Third place playoff Winners qualified for 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Final
Goalscorers
The COSAFA Technical Study Group announced the group stage Best XI as follows: GoalkeepersDefendersMidfieldersForwardsGroup Stage Best XI Vilanculos Costa Vera Amahada Silva De Figueiredo Nhabanga Molepo Mchangama Antonio Mhlongo Coach: Mario Catala
Awards The COSAFA U-17 Championship technical study group selected the following as the best of the tournament. AwardPlayerBest Player Omphemetse SekgotoTop Goal scorer Pedro AntonioBest Goalkeeper Gelson Joaquim DalaFairplay team
Qualified teams for CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations The following three teams from COSAFA qualified for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Team Qualified onPrevious appearances in U-17 Africa Cup of Nations1 5 (1997, 1999, 2017, 2019, 2025) 5 (2005, 2007, 2015, 2023, 2025) 2 (1995, 2001)
See also 2025 COSAFA U-20 Cup 2025 COSAFA U-17 Girls' Championship
References
External links
Championship page at Global Sport Archive