The tournament will be held in Botswana in December. In the draw done in Gaborone on Monday afternoon, the Young Warriors were still placed in a tough group D that has other perennial contenders, Angola and also includes Namibia and former winners, Madagascar.
Two winners from each group will automatically qualify for the semi-finals of the competition.
This year's matches are billed for December 1-10 2011 at the University of Botswana's stadium and Molelopole Stadium in Gaborone, with 15 countries having already confirmed their participation.
South Africa are the most successful side in the tournament, having won it in three times in five years – 2004, 2006 and 2008, in what can be attributed to their hosting of the tournament, followed by Zambia who triumphed in the last two editions.
Madagascar (2005) and Zimbabwe (2007) are the only other sides to have recorded success in the youth tournament that is meant to develop soccer talent in the region.
The Young Warriors were knocked out by eventual winners Zambia last year, but ended third after a 3-1 win over Madagascar.
Full draw
Group A
Botswana, Comoros, Swaziland, Mozambique
Group B
Seychelles, Malawi, Lesotho
Group C
Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius
Group D
Angola, Madagascar, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Post published in: Football