Tariq Babitseng Elected COSAFA President Unopposed at Harare Elective General Assembly
Tariq Babitseng was elected unopposed as COSAFA President at the Harare Elective General Assembly on May 17, 2026, leading a new 2026–2029 executive team.
Tariq Babitseng assumes the presidency of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) following an Elective General Assembly held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May 17, 2026.
The unopposed election concluded a governance session in which member associations gathered to vote on leadership and reaffirm the regional union’s priorities for football development and competition.
Babitseng takes over from outgoing president Said Ali Said Athouman
Tariq Babitseng succeeds Said Ali Said Athouman as COSAFA president after the assembly wrapped up its electoral business.
Babitseng thanked member association presidents for their confidence and framed his mandate as one rooted in regional unity and collective advancement of the game.
He paid tribute to the outgoing leadership for continuity and stability, and pledged to build on existing programmes while strengthening COSAFA’s administrative capacity.
The change at the top marks the start of a three-year cycle for the zonal union, with an executive team charged to guide the organisation through 2026–2029.
Harare assembly attended by CAF and regional union leaders
The Elective General Assembly in Harare drew senior figures from across African football, including CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.
Dr Motsepe offered congratulatory remarks and acknowledged the breadth of development work COSAFA has undertaken in Southern Africa.
Paulos Weldehaimanot, President of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), attended as an invited guest, underscoring inter-regional collaboration.
Delegates used the gathering to exchange views on how zonal unions and CAF can align efforts to support national associations across infrastructure, competitions and governance.
Composition of the new COSAFA Executive Committee
The assembly confirmed a slate of elected and co-opted executive members who will serve alongside President Babitseng.
Madagascar’s Alfred Randriamananampisoa was elected Vice-President, and Zambia’s Dr. Brenda Kunda secured the executive committee seat reserved for women.
Ordinary executive members elected at the assembly include Lijane Nthunya of Lesotho, Nqobile Magwizi of Zimbabwe, Robert Shimooshili of Namibia and Peter Simelane of Eswatini.
In addition, Linda Zwane of South Africa and Irene Gonçalves of Angola were co-opted onto the Executive Committee to broaden representation and technical capacity.
Mandate and priorities set for football development and competitions
The incoming leadership signalled priorities that place development pathways and competition stability at the centre of COSAFA’s mandate.
Strengthening youth development, coaching education, referee programmes and domestic competition calendars was emphasised as critical to raising standards across member associations.
Delegates also discussed enhancing the commercial appeal of regional tournaments and improving tournament administration to provide more regular, competitive fixtures for national teams and clubs.
Babitseng framed these priorities within a broader aim of ensuring no association works in isolation, stressing cooperation as the most effective route to regional progress.
Electoral process and governance safeguards followed
The election was conducted under the supervision of the COSAFA Electoral Committee and in accordance with the COSAFA Electoral Code.
Delegates were briefed on procedural compliance and the measures in place to guarantee transparency and the integrity of the vote.
COSAFA officials noted that the orderly transition reflected the zonal union’s strengthening governance frameworks, a trend that CAF leadership sought to encourage across the continent.
Observers at the assembly highlighted the importance of robust electoral rules as a foundation for sustained administrative and competitive development.
Member associations reaffirm regional vision and collaboration
Beyond the vote, the Elective General Assembly provided a forum for member associations to review progress and align on a shared strategic outlook.
Discussions covered funding mechanisms, facility upgrades, women’s football development and pathways to enhance participation at all levels of the game.
Delegates emphasised cross-border cooperation on calendar coordination and the sharing of technical resources to maximize limited budgets and human capital.
The assembly concluded with a collective commitment to pursue initiatives that promote grassroots growth while preparing national teams for higher-level continental competition.
The new COSAFA leadership inherits a remit that combines political stewardship and technical oversight, with an expectation to convert strategic aims into measurable outcomes.
Implementation will require close coordination with CAF, national associations, sponsors and other stakeholders to ensure programmes are adequately funded and monitored.
COSAFA’s 2026–2029 Executive Committee now faces the dual challenge of delivering immediate organisational stability and setting sustainable, long-term frameworks for football advancement across Southern Africa.
Success will be judged on improvements in competition quality, increased participation rates, and stronger administrative systems that support member associations in the years ahead.
