24 Feb 2021

COSAFA president, Phillip Chiyangwa, says the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some football activities within the region. 

Speaking at the COSAFA general assembly on Sunday, he said the pandemic had affected the game forcing many players from playing football. 

He, however, said all was not lost since his organisation managed to organise four tournaments over a six-week period last year.

Chiyangwa said 2021 would be a busy year for football in general particularly for  COSAFA with CAF elections in March.

He said COSAFA elections would be in December and several regional tournaments as well as AFCON in between.

Furthermore, Chiyangwa hailed FIFA president, Gianni Infantino who was in attendance for his visionary leadership.

He said women’s and youth tournaments would not have been possible without the foresight of Infantino.

COSAFA head said in 2015, the FIFA boss attended their general assembly, where he learnt of the challenges of the zonal union and saw the merits in supporting them.

“In his manifesto, Infantino said he would provide support for the zonal unions and he has implemented what he spoke of,” he said.

Meanwhile, a press release from COSAFA indicates that COSAFA member association aligned the organisation’s statutes with those of CAF, but retained its independence.     

 It says, COSAFA has also created a new Ethics Board that will act in line with FIFA and CAF statutes, while the executive committee will henceforth include at least one woman.

Furthermore, it says members also adopted the financial reports from the last fiscal year, as well as the budget for 2021 where COSAFA has set out an ambitious calendar to host as many as 10 tournaments.

This will include the addition of a Women’s Club Champions League, an exciting new chapter in COSAFA’s history. ends