Nine of the fourteen COSAFA member took take part in the competition. Tanzania from the CECAFA region entered as guests.[1] Eswatini and Lesotho entered late because of uncertainety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Namibia withdrew on 21 October 2020.[3] The draw then was held on 22 October 2020.[4]
The group stage is composed of three groups of four teams each. Group winners and the best runner-up amongst all groups advance to the semi-finals. As Group A has 4 teams, the results against the bottom-placed team in this group are not counted towards the best runner-up calculation.[5]
1.^ Group B winner was originally scheduled to play the best runner-up of the group stage. But the regulations of the tournament didn't allow two teams from the same group to play against each other in the Semi-finals, and therefore the games had to be changed.[6]