The annual event had been scheduled to take place in the South African city Durban.

Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the members of COSAFA who contest the tournament.

Guest nations have previously participated.

Organisers said the COSAFA Cup will not be able to take place this year and they were unable to reschedule the event following its postponement back in June.

COSAFA cited a lack of preparation time available to utilise the October FIFA international window, as well as a packed international calendar to the end of the year, including the resumption of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

Zambia are the reigning champions having beaten Botswana 1-0 in last year’s final.

COSAFA is optimistic of hosting four of its six scheduled tournaments this year, but remains reliant on the green light from Governments across the region.

The COSAFA Women’s Championship is scheduled to take place from November 3 to 14 in South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay.

South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Angola and Malawi have confirmed their participation, while Namibia and Eswatini are awaiting Government approval to travel.

East African nation Kenya have requested a guest place in the tournament, while Mauritius remain doubtful. 

Madagascar, Seychelles and Mozambique have declined and Lesotho have yet to commit to taking part.

The COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championship is also scheduled be held concurrently with the senior tournament, but in a reduced format.

COSAFA expect four to six teams to participate, with East African nation Tanzania having expressed an interest in taking part.

South Africa is due to host the COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Championship from November 19 to 29, with the finalists advancing to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Finals in Morocco next year.

South Africa has stepped in to replace Mauritius as host of the COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship, with matches scheduled to take place between December 3 to 13.

Twelve nations have confirmed their participation but Seychelles and Madagascar have declined the invitation and Mauritius have also yet to confirm if they will compete.

The tournament will act as a qualifier for the CAF Men’s Under-20 Championship.

"A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes during the COVID-19 pandemic to try and realise our goals of hosting these events to continue our mandate of developing Southern African football on and off the pitch," said COSAFA secretary general Sue Destombes.

"But we are completely reliant on conditions being favourable and obviously that is out of our control.

"What we can promise is that health and safety protocols will be in place, as well as utilising practices from the experiences of the South African Football Association, who successfully completed their 2019-20 league season."