Sunshine race against Cosafa tourney

Malawi’s women’s football giants DD Sunshine face a race against time to prepare for the inaugural Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) Women’s Champions League slated for April and May this year..

Women’s football, just like regional leagues, remains suspended in the country due to restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of Covid.

Sunshine sponsor Tabitha Chawinga was optimistic that the team would take part in the competition this year.

“I am just waiting for the dates of the competition, but

I think it is important to expose the players through such tournaments. I already made a commitment that I will support the team but I hope others will also assist us. It will be good for the players and also for the country,” she said.

The Lilongwe-based club has not regrouped as football is suspended due to Covid.

According to the draft calendar, the Under-17 girls’ women’s competition is also expected to take place in April in Namibia whereas South Africa will host the men’s Cosafa Senior Tournament in May.

Meanwhile, Cosafa has said it is confident of hosting all the tournaments this year including maiden Cosafa Women’s Champions League slated for April and May this year.

In a draft Cosafa calendar which Times has seen, the preliminary stage for the women’s club championship will be played in three countries from April to May this year.

However, the draft calendar has to be approved during the annual general meeting slated for February 13.

Cosafa Deputy General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda,

who is also responsible for competitions, said the Cosafa Women’s Champions League preliminary stage will be staged in three countries, with Zambia hosting the finals in August.

“The Islands will have their own preliminaries in one Island country and inland countries will have two groups, meaning two countries will host. Top three teams from the three groups plus one best team will qualify to the final,” he said.

Cosafa is expected to release the full calendar of the tournament, which will also act as Zonal Qualifiers for the maiden Caf Women’s Champions League.

The women’s Under-20 and Senior Women’s Tournament will take place in Port Elizabeth.