The Black Stars will be taking part in the 2014 Confederations of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup to be played later this year in Botswana. This was stated in a press release from COSAFA on Monday.<\/p>\n
According to the body, the Ghana Football Association, last week, confirmed the participation of the Black Stars in the tournament which runs from the 13th to the 27th of September 2014 and they will replace Comoros Islands.<\/p>\n
COSAFA says Ghana and five other countries will receive a bye to the quarter finals based on the FIFA Rankings at the time of the competition and they will be joined by the winners of the two groups.<\/p>\n
The body also stated its happiness at having Ghana at the competition because of the Black Stars’ high reputation on the continent and believed that would motivate the other countries to do well.<\/p>\n
Zambia are the defending COSAFA Cup champions from the 2013 edition after beating Zimbabawe on penalties in Lusaka.<\/p>\n
Below is the full press statement released by the\u00a0Confederations of Southern African Football Associations:<\/p>\n
Press Release: 05 02 June 2014 <\/em><\/p>\n COSAFA CUP ENTRIES – finalised <\/em><\/p>\n The 2014 COSAFA Cup in Botswana will have a West African flavour after regional giants Ghana <\/em> The Black Stars, who will be competing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil later this month, <\/em> Ghana are a powerhouse of <\/em>the continent and have been the most successful African side at the last two World Cup <\/em> It will be a huge test <\/em>for our Southern African sides to take on the Black Stars, but that is just the type of <\/em> Ghana will likely receive a bye into the quarterfinals along with the five other best positioned <\/em> from COSAFA<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Nathan Quao\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
\nconfirmed their participation in the championship that runs from September 13 to 27. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nnotified COSAFA of their acceptance of the invitation to compete last week. <\/em>
\nThe African giants will take the place of Comoros Islands, who have opted not to compete in <\/em>
\nthis year\u2019s championship, and will hope to become the first non-Southern African side to lift <\/em>
\nthe trophy in the 17-year history of the regional showpiece. <\/em>
\n\u201cWe are delighted to have Ghana competing in Botswana and it is another sign of the high <\/em>
\nregard the rest of Africa places in the COSAFA Cup competition. <\/em><\/p>\n
\ntournaments, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals in South African in 2010,\u201d says <\/em>
\nTimothy Shongwe, Chairman of COSAFA\u2019 s Organising Committee. <\/em>
\n\u201cPlayers from Ghana are coveted by top European clubs and there is a good chance that we <\/em>
\nwill see future superstars of the national team in Botswana later this year.<\/em><\/p>\n
\ncompetition we are looking for to help develop the game in the region.\u201d <\/em>
\nThe format of the 2014 competition will be the same as in Zambia last year, where two first <\/em>
\nround groups will be contested with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nteams according to the FIFA World Rankings, who will be joined by the two pool winners to <\/em>
\ncomplete the Last 8. <\/em>
\nThere will also be a Plate competition for the losing sides in the quarterfinals to give all teams <\/em>
\nthe opportunity to play multiple matches. <\/em>
\nThe COSAFA Cup returns this year after the successful hosting of the 2013 edition in Zambia <\/em>
\nlast July, with the host nation defeating Zimbabwe in the final to record their fourth <\/em>
\nTournament win, drawing them level with the Zimbabweans at the top of the list for all-time <\/em>
\ntournament victories. <\/em>
\nSouth Africa and Angola are the only other to nations to have lifted the title and have three <\/em>
\nwins each. <\/em><\/p>\n