As Harambee Stars prepare to feature in the COSAFA Cup in South Africa starting on 26th June, we take a look at some of the tournament’s rules.Stars landed the invite for the annual cup after Malawi pulled out, leaving the tournament with 11 teams instead of the usual 12. With the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup canceled, Kenya will now compete in the tournament in South Africa.##NAJAVA_MECA_8161482##Here are some of the tournament’s rules:Squad SizeCoaches are allowed to select an initial squad of 30 players, which was later reduced to 23 for the final tournament.Coaching qualificationsIn accordance with CAF requirements, all head coaches at the tournament must hold at least a Caf Pro, A, or B coaching license. Assistant coaches are required to have a Pro, A, B, or C license. Equivalent qualifications from other regions are accepted. Coaches who do not meet these criteria will not be permitted to sit on the bench during matches.’Junior Starlets World Cup qualification a result of consistent work’ – Nick MwendwaFormatThe tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the semifinals. The winner of group B will face the winner of group C, while the top team in group A will play against the best runner-up. If the runner-up is from the same group as the team it would face, the Organising Committee may adjust the fixtures at their discretion.Deciding group placesIf two or more teams finish with the same number of points in the group stage, they will be separated based on their head-to-head results. If still tied, goal difference from the group matches between the teams concerned will be used, followed by the number of goals scored in those matches. If necessary, overall goal difference in all group matches and a Fair Play points system, evaluating yellow and red cards, will be used. As a last resort, lots will be drawn.Best runner-upThe best runner-up across the three groups will be determined by the following criteria: higher number of points obtained in group matches, superior goal difference, and higher number of goals scored. If still tied, Fair Play points, based on yellow and red cards, will decide the best runner-up.Harambee Stars squad for COSAFA Cup to be named todayKnockout phaseNo extra time will be played in the semifinals or the third-place playoff; tied matches will go straight to penalties. However, the final will feature two 15-minute periods of extra time if the match is level after 90 minutes. If still tied, penalties will determine the winner.Yellow and red cardsA player receiving two yellow cards during the tournament will be suspended for one match. Bookings from the group stage do not carry over to the knockout phase unless a player receives two yellow cards in the final group match, in which case the suspension is carried over. A red card results in a one-match suspension. A player receiving two red cards during the tournament will be suspended for the remainder of the competition.SubstitutesTeams are allowed up to five substitutions per game, limited to three separate occasions during the match (excluding halftime). An additional substitution is allowed if the match goes into extra time.Ababu urges FKF to establish youth league
