Seven of the 14 nations in COSAFA was represented in this tournament, along with the invited CECAFA nation Tanzania.[7] There was a late change in the line-up when Mozambique took Malawi's spot.[8]
The 8 teams were on 3 July, drawn[9] into 2 groups and, played against each other once in a round-robin. The top two teams advanced to the semi-finals.[10]