Giants have avoided each other in the group stage draw for next month’s Cosafa Women’s Championship.

Hosts and holders Banyana Banyana, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia’s Copper Queens are considered top women’s national football teams in Southern Africa.

Yet, in the draw held on Thursday morning in South Africa, the giants went separate ways.

South Africa lead group A  comprising Malawi, Angola and Mozambique whereas Botswana, the 2020 runners up, are in Group alongside guests Tanzania, South Sudan and 2011 champions Zimbabwe.

Zambia, the highest ranked team in Southern Africa and 2019 finalists, have Group C company of Namibia, Uganda and Eswatini.

Top team in each pool and overall second best will qualify for the semifinals.

COSAFA General Secretary Sue Destombes has since hailed the association’s sponsors for their continued support despite the challenges which Covid-19 has posed.

“This will be our second COSAFA Women’s Championship played during the COVID-19 pandemic after the successful staging of the event last November and we once again thank the Eastern Cape Province and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for their tremendous support,” Destombes is quoted saying.

The tournament will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay for the fourth year running from September 15 to 26 2021.

Matches will be played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Full draw

Group A
South Africa
Angola
Malawi
Mozambique

Group B
Botswana
Tanzania
South Sudan
Zimbabwe

Group C
Zambia
Namibia
Eswatini
Uganda