COSAFA Cup Matchup: South Africa to Face Mozambique in Group Stage

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – The 2025 COSAFA Cup kicks off Wednesday with South Africa facing Mozambique at Free State Toyota Stadium at 2 p.m. local time. This match is a rematch of last year’s opener, where South Africa leads their historical encounters with three wins against Mozambique’s one, alongside two draws.

Last year, both teams were in Group A, ending with one win and two draws each. However, Mozambique progressed to the knockout stage due to a better goal difference. South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, had an impressive run afterward, remaining unbeaten in ten matches before a recent defeat against Malawi.

Despite this loss, they secured a place in the upcoming African Cup of Nations and topped their group in World Cup qualifiers. The South African Football Association has appointed the coach from Kaizer Chiefs Diski Challenge as head coach for the tournament, with his assistant already in place.

In terms of team performance, South Africa has not lost at home in their last 15 matches, dating back to the 2023 COSAFA Cup semi-final against Zambia. Conversely, Mozambique, known as Os Mambas, finished third last season, their best result since being runners-up in 2015.

While qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, Mozambique sits second in their World Cup qualifying group, trailing Algeria by three points. Their recent form shows a mixed result with five wins, two draws, and three losses in their last ten games, including a recent warm-up match victory against Eswatini.

The South African squad features five players from Kaizer Chiefs, reflecting the connection between the club and the national team. Although Mamelodi Sundowns players are absent due to recent Champions League competition, the hosts aim to maintain their strong home advantage.

Predictions favor South Africa for this encounter, but both teams are expected to put forth significant effort as the tournament progresses. With the stakes high, this COSAFA Cup opener promises to be an exciting match.