**Mozambique’s Under‑20 Team Sets Sights on a Second COSAFA Title**
*Maputo, 28 August 2026* – The Mozambique under‑20 national football side, known as the “Young Mambas,” is preparing to defend the COSAFA Under‑20 Championship after winning the tournament for the first time in 2020. The team’s objective is to repeat the success and secure qualification for next year’s TotalEnergies CAF U‑20 Africa Cup of Nations, which also serves as a pathway to the FIFA U‑20 World Cup.
### 2020 triumph and recent performances
Mozambique captured its inaugural COSAFA Under‑20 crown at the 2020 edition held in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. In the group stage, the Young Mambas topped their pool with victories over Lesotho (1‑0) and Zimbabwe (2‑0) and a 0‑0 draw against the host nation, South Africa. A semifinal against Zambia also ended 0‑0, with Mozambique prevailing 5‑4 in the penalty shoot‑out. The final saw a 1‑0 win over Namibia, secured by a goal from forward Augusto, delivering the nation its first COSAFA trophy at any age level.
Since that victory, Mozambique has experienced mixed results in the competition. The side finished as runners‑up in 2022, and in the 2024 tournament hosted in Matola, Mozambique lost all three group matches, finishing at the bottom of the table. The pattern of a gold medal, a silver medal, and a first‑round exit across the last three editions underscores the team’s determination to return to the podium.
### Path to the 2027 CAF U‑20 Africa Cup of Nations
To qualify for the 2027 CAF U‑20 Africa Cup of Nations, Mozambique must reach the COSAFA final. The 2026 COSAFA Under‑20 Championship pool containing Mozambique also includes Mauritius, Namibia and Seychelles. The pool winner advances automatically to the semifinals, while the best runner‑up across the three pools also progresses.
### Historical record in COSAFA competition
Mozambique’s participation in the COSAFA Under‑20 Championship dates back to 1999. The nation’s performance over the years is as follows:
| Year | Result |
|——|——–|
| 1999 | Group stage |
| 2000 | Quarterfinals |
| 2001 | Quarterfinals |
| 2002 | Quarterfinals |
| 2003‑2007 | Group stages |
| 2008 | Runners‑up (lost to South Africa) |
| 2009‑2011 | Group stages (narrowly missed semifinals in 2011) |
| 2013‑2019 | Group stages |
| 2020 | Winners |
| 2022 | Runners‑up |
| 2024 | Group stage |
In addition to regional competition, Mozambique reached the quarterfinals of the African Under‑20 Championship in 1989, but were eliminated in the group phase in the 2021 and 2023 editions.
### Outlook
Coach [name not provided in source] and the Young Mambas will aim to replicate the 2020 success, aware that a final‑place finish is required for CAF qualification. The upcoming matches against Mauritius, Namibia and Seychelles will determine whether Mozambique can secure the top spot in its pool or rely on a best‑runner‑up position to advance.
The team’s recent history of both triumphs and setbacks highlights the competitive nature of the COSAFA Under‑20 tournament and the broader ambition of Mozambique’s football federation to develop youth talent capable of competing on the continental stage.
Article and image source: allafrica.com
