Mozambique faces a significant opportunity in African youth football, with the possibility of hosting the zonal qualifying round for the African Under-17 Championship. On Wednesday, a delegation from the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) conducted a series of preparatory activities in Maputo, aiming to assess the country's viability and suitability to host this prestigious event.
The COSAFA delegation, comprised of experts in planning and organizing sporting events, inspected several facilities in the Mozambican capital. Among the locations visited were potential hotels to house the participating teams' delegations and the organizing team. They also conducted a detailed visit to the Black Bulls Association Complex in Tchumene, identifying suitable spaces for both the games and team training during the competition.
The president of the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF), Feizal Sidat, expressed his confidence and enthusiasm regarding the possibility of Mozambique hosting an event of such magnitude. He emphasized: "After the great success of the 2022 African Beach Soccer Championship, hosting an event of this magnitude would not only put Mozambique back on the map of major CAF football events, but would also serve as a significant boost to the development of youth football in the country, in line with our 2023-2027 strategic plan.".
Despite the inspection and planning activities carried out, an official decision has not yet been made on whether Mozambique will actually host the qualifying phase. COSAFA's visit and the assessments carried out represent an important step towards ensuring that all necessary conditions are in place for a high-level sporting event.
The possibility of Mozambique hosting the zonal qualifying round for the African Under-17 Football Championship not only strengthens the country's position as a regional sports hub but also provides a vital platform for young talent to develop their skills and compete in a competitive international environment. The event would not only promote youth football but could also inspire a new generation of players and foster renewed interest in the sport among young Mozambicans.
The next steps will involve further discussions between the FMF, COSAFA, and other stakeholders to determine whether Mozambique will officially host this important sporting event. Meanwhile, anticipation and excitement continue to grow among football fans across the country, eagerly awaiting further developments on this potentially historic sporting journey for Mozambique.
