Reunion has pulled out of the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championships set to start on December 2 and runs until the 14th of the month in Zambia.

The Democratic Republic of Congo will replace the Indian ocean islanders and take up their place in Group A which has hosts, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

According to the COSAFA website, the council’s president, Phillip Chiyangwa said: “We are disappointed that Reunion will not be following up their interest in playing at the COSAFA Under-20 Championships after they had approached COSAFA with the wish to be included.”

“But we are delighted to welcome DR Congo, who are a nation with a rich football history and great pedigree. They played in our Under-20 tournament in 2016 and won the bronze medal, and they will no doubt be among the teams to beat again.”

Meanwhile, defending champions South Africa are in Group B along with Namibia, Mauritius and eSwatini, while Group C contains Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana.