THE Maseru 2020 Region 5 Games football draws were revised on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, following a late request from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Comoros to be entered into the competition scheduled for the November 30 until December 8 tournaments.

This adjustment has now placed the Under-17 boys’ teams to six, requiring two pools. Zimbabwe were late additions to the boys’ and girls’ events, while Namibia and Comoros also joined the tournament after Friday’s draw ceremony in Maseru. 

“Ordinarily we would not have a situation with late entries, but for these particular competitions we feel it is justified given that our mandate is to develop football in the region, and this is a key age-group in that regard,” COSAFA General Secretary, Sue Destombes said.

“For that reason, we have accepted the requests of these countries and welcome them to what we believe will be two fantastic competitions in Maseru.”  

The entry of Zimbabwe took the number of teams in the boys’ competition up to 11, which necessitated a new draw to accommodate a three-group format.

Hosts Lesotho were seeds in Group A and drawn alongside Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, while defending champions, South Africa headlined Group B along with Angola, Botswana, and Mauritius. Group C contains three teams, namely Zambia, Malawi, and Seychelles.

Only the top team and the best placed runners-up advance to the semi-finals of the competition.  The field for the girls’ competition initially had only four sides, but with the addition of three more means it will now be played in a two-group format.