ANGOLA has made a preliminary bid to stage this year’s COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

COSAFA chief executive officer Sue Destombes confirmed Angola's intention to host the regional tournament.

"They have indicated willingness to host it," Destombes said.

Angola's request comes a few days after they hosted the 27th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations whose final was played on Sunday.

"Everything is at a preliminary stage at the moment and there is hope of elevating the bid to a higher level. And so far, they are the only country that have indicated they want to host the event."

She said this year’s COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup was set for the end of September.
The COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup has been suffering from sponsorship problems since SABMiller ended a 10-year deal in 2007.

Zimbabwe came to the rescue of the 2009 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup when it hosted the event after its government footed the bill to stage the southern region's premier football tournament.

Meanwhile, Destombes said COSAFA was in negotiations with South African financial services company Metropolitan over the renewal of their sponsorship for the Youth Championship.

Metropolitan's four-year deal to sponsor the COSAFA Youth Championship that began in 2006 ends this year.

Destombes revealed that the COSAFA Women and Under-17 tournaments will now be every two years.
She said COSAFA has decided to scrap off the tournament on an annual basis because the two events were unable to attract long-term sponsorship.

Destombes said the Under-17 tournament and Women’s Championship will now be held in subsequent years.

Two unnamed countries were bidding to host the Under-17 event after it failed to take place in 2008 and 2009 due to logistical problems.