Zimbabwe and Botswana will meet in the opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | COSAFA Qualifier on September 26, the start of a journey towards qualification for the continental finals next year.

The pair clash in a Group A fixture at 12h00 that will be followed by a meeting between hosts Mozambique and Eswatini at 15h00.

Madagascar have withdrawn from the competition, which leaves only three teams in Group B, as record 12-time winners Zambia and Angola kick-off that pool in a heavyweight clash a day later at 15h00.

The first games in Group C will also be played on the same day as eight-time winners South Africa play Malawi at 15h00 and before that Comoros take on Lesotho (12h00 CAT).

The group stages run through to October 1, with the top team in each pool and the best placed runner-up across the three groups advancing to the semifinals.That will be played on October 3 with the final two days later.

There is no bronze medal match.The two teams that reach the final will qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations that is scheduled to be played next year.