Namibia placed in Group A for 2026 COSAFA U/20 Championship

Namibia has been drawn into Group A for the 2026 COSAFA U/20 Championship. The team will compete against hosts Mauritius, Mozambique, and Seychelles during the tournament, which runs from September 18 to 29 in Mauritius.

The draw took place in South Africa on Wednesday. Namibia is seeking to finish as the top team in their group or emerge as one of the best runners-up to reach the semi-finals. Success in this regional competition is vital, as the two finalists will qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U/20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

To prepare for the tournament, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Youth Development Department has named a provisional squad of 43 players. A training camp will be held in Windhoek from August 24 to 28. During this period, the technical staff will evaluate the group to select a final 25-man roster for the trip to Mauritius.

Hennie Kavendjii, the NFA Youth Development Officer, stated that the camp will evaluate players on their technical skills, game intelligence, and adaptability. The selection includes performers from the Nedbank Newspaper Cup held in April, eligible players from the 2025 Region Five tournament, and members of the Westphalia team.

The provisional list features local talent alongside Namibian players currently playing in England, Spain, Belgium, South Africa, and Australia. The tournament serves as a platform for the nation's young players to gain experience and compete for a spot in the continental championship.