Chiyangwa on why COSAFA is staged in SA

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Thursday May 18, 2017. 18:00

COSAFA President Philip Chiyangwa has explained why South Africa is a preferred choice when it comes to hosting the regional tournament.

Speaking during his visit in the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosting country, the Zimbabwean boss said South Africa has all the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament.

The South Africans have staged the tournament three times, whilst with Namibia, Zimbabwe‚ Angola‚ Zambia have hosted once each.

It was announced that this year's edition will be staged in Rustenburg in June for the second time in three years‚ but empty stadiums remain a concern for the regional body.

NIGER OUT TO REVIVE THEIR HOPES ON THURSDAY

“Seychelles and Mauritius – all the (tournaments) that you see awarded are based on people bidding‚ that we want to participate in this‚” Chiyangwa said to the Sowetan.

“You can’t just be given a competition when you don’t even have a stadium.

“They are asking to be given beach soccer and women’s competitions – I know that Seychelles are taking a women’s competition.

“There are things that they can do successfully.

"Remember‚ people must go to a country where they have to stay nicely and so forth‚ and all those are considerations before granting a competition.”

Furthermore, the outspoken administrator also suggested that sponsorship issues also played a role in giving it to South Africa as the tournament is sponsored by Castle Lager (South African Breweries).