The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has changed the qualification criteria for the African Under-17 Championships , making the regional competitions, if they are held, the entry for the teams.

It means one side from the COSAFA region will be present, and that team will become known in Mauritius where teams are taking part in this year’s edition of the competition.

Therefor The 2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championships in Mauritius from July 19-29 is the beginning of the grueling journey to reach the FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals in Peru next year.

The winner will represent COSAFA in the African Championship that will be hosted in Tanzania where Eight sides will then contest the continental finals in Tanzania, split into two groups of four sides. The African Under-17 Championships that are to take place in Tanzania from May 12-26 next year.

The top two sides in each pool will qualify for the semifinals and all will take their place at the World Cup in South America that will be staged from October 5-27, 2019.

Source : COSAFA Media