Flames opponents in the COSAFA tournament scheduled for South Africa from today to 18 July, Madagascar have pulled out of the competition.

COSAFA has confirmed the development saying Comoros and Madagascar are not participating in the tournament.

Madagascar have failed to travel to South Africa due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in their country.

With the development, COSAFA has announced changing the format with the current one having two groups and five teams each.

The organising committee of the 2021 COSAFA tournament says top two teams in the groups will progress to the semifinals.

COSAFA conducted a draw to place Zambia and Malawi in the new respective Groups A and B, doing so in the presence of representatives for the 10 remaining teams.

Zambia are in Group A along with hosts South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.    That means Malawi will be in the ‘new’ Group B, which also contains west African guest nation Senegal, Zimbabwe,

Zambia are in Group A along with hosts South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.    That means Malawi will be in the ‘new’ Group B, which also contains west African guest nation Senegal, Zimbabwe,