The Mauritius U17 national football team is in full preparation mode ahead of the 2025 COSAFA U17 Championship, to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from September 11 to 20. This prestigious regional competition also serves as a qualifier for the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations, adding high stakes for all participating teams.

Mauritius has been drawn into Group C, alongside Angola, Botswana, and Lesotho. The team will begin its campaign against Lesotho on the opening day at Hearts Stadium, before facing Angola and Botswana in what could be decisive matches for a place in the semi-finals.

The tournament features twelve COSAFA member nations, divided into three groups of four. Only the group winners and the best runner-up will progress to the knockout stage. Matches will take place at Hearts Stadium and Ngoni Stadium, with the final scheduled on the 20th of  September at Ngoni.

The 2025 edition promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with Zambia entering as defending champions, and strong contenders such as South-Africa and Angola expected to challenge for the title.

Mauritius enters the competition with a squad composed largely of talents from its High-Performance Centre, aiming to combine tactical discipline with technical ability.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Mauritius head coach shared said: “This is an important opportunity for our boys to test themselves against some of the best in the region. Our preparations have been solid, and we aim to compete with pride and purpose.”

The COSAFA U17 Championship continues to play a key role in youth development across Southern Africa, serving as a launchpad for future senior national players. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will turn to Harare, where the next generation of African football stars will step onto the continental stage.