Superfans come together for 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup launch

Zambian Breweries Marketing Director Thomas Kamphuis, left, and Marketing Manager, Nomonde Donsa join Football Association of Zambia Marketing Manager Nchimunya Mayinga and colleague to celebrate the COSAFA Castle Cup 2016 kick-off

Football fans came together in Lusaka this weekend to celebrate the kick-off of the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup, running from June 11-25 in Namibia.

Hundreds of fans flocked to the a fan park at Chris Corner in Chilenje to watch the opening matches, where four lucky Zambian superfans stood the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to watch the games live in Namibia.

“In 2016, Castle Lager is bringing together the fans from Zambia to share the excitement of regional football. The region’s largest beer brand is bringing together consumers to do something great for football and brings to life the best of our region – our football and our people,” said Zambian Breweries Marketing Director Thomas Kamphuis.

A second fan park will be staged on June 19 in Ndola to enable fans to share a Castle and watch the Chipolopolo game live, with a similar event on June 25 at Katungu Area, Libala, Lusaka, to screen the final game.

The 14-team tournament features the best of the Southern African region and guest nation Democratic Republic of Congo in a festival of football to be played at the Independence and Sam Nujoma stadiums in Namibia’s capital.

Earlier in the week Zambian Breweries selected eight Castle Lager distributors, who exceeded their sales expectations, from across the country to travel to Namibia for the opening match.

Namibia, who are hosting for the first time, are the current holders of the COSAFA Castle Cup after they won their maiden title in 2015. Zambia has won the regional competition four times.

Castle distributors and Zambian Breweries staff prepare to travel to Namibia for the COSAFA castle Cup 2016 opening ceremony.