SAFA And COSAFA Iron Out Differences
After a little period of uncertainty in regional football, SAFA and COSAFA met and ironed their differences over the hosting of the latter’s events in South Africa.
The South Africa Football Association, SAFA had thrown a cloud of future regional tournaments by stating that COSAFA should stop hosting tournaments in South Africa. The organisation went as far as saying COSAFA were breaking their own statutes by hosting events which South Africa had not bid to host. COSAFA was caught by surprise and urgently sought a meeting with the Dr Danny Jordaan-led SAFA.
According a joint statement signed by both organisations, the meeting was fruitful and constructive.
“This impacts positively on tournaments already on the COSAFA calender and future events, wherever they may be held,” read the statement which does not go into details of the agreements reached between the two parties.
COSAFA has agreements with the municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and a new one with the Free State to host regional football tournaments. The agreement with Durban in the KZN is due to run until at least 2024. Free State is due to host the U20 Women’s Championships as early as June, with the senior men’s COSAFA Cup set for June.
Although the statement is vague, COSAFA will certainly be actively looking for alternative host countries, at least until South Africa’s bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup has run its course.
