Zambia edge Bafana to claim Cosafa Cup final berth

Zambia came from a goal down to defeat tournament hosts South Africa 2-1 in a Cosafa Cup semifinal played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Friday evening.

Chipolopolo found themselves behind at halftime thanks to Tshegofatso Mabasa’s opening goal for Bafana Bafana, but second-half strikes from Golden Mashata and Albert Kangwanda secured victory for the defending champions, who are chasing a record seventh title in this regional competition.

Zambia had the first major threat on goal, with Albert Kangwanda firing off a low shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 11th minute, but South Africa goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela made a fine save.

End of the road for Bafana Bafana in the #COSAFACup2023

Full time:

RSA ????1???2??Zambia ????

?????? Tshegofatso Mabasa 44’

??????Golden Mashata 50’
??????Albert Kangwanda 69’ pic.twitter.com/pZmtkvqLT2

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 14, 2023

The host nation responded with some promising attacks of their own, one of which forced Zambia ‘keeper Francis Mwansa into a fingertip save in the 20th minute, before Lesedi Kapinga struck a close-range effort wide of the mark just past the midway point of the first half.

Bafana Bafana gradually built up the attacking pressure and were rewarded in the 44th minute, as Iqraam Rayners’s fierce shot from the left was only palmed into the danger area by Mwansa, allowing Tshegofatso Mabasa to latch onto the loose ball and strike his team into a 1-0 lead.

South Africa took their advantage into the interval, and almost added to it via another chance from Mabasa soon after the restart, but Chipolopolo struck back to make it 1-1 in the 50th minute.

A long throw-in was allowed to bounce around South Africa’s penalty area, before Golden Mashata swept home a left-footed volley to level the game.

And Zambia claimed the lead for the first time in the 69th minute via a brilliant goal from Kangwanda, who curled home a beautiful strike direct from a free kick, giving Mzimela no chance whatsoever.

South Africa responded well to going behind, forcing Mwansa into two sharp saves via efforts from Rayners and substitute Rowan Human in the 74th minute, while Kangwanda also stung the palms of Mzimela with a shot in the 80th minute.

Those proved to be the last major chances at either end, with Chipolopolo able to hold out and secure a victory which ends the host nation’s hopes of glory.

South Africa will go on to face Malawi in the third-place playoff on Sunday afternoon, with the final between Zambia and Lesotho to follow in the evening. Both matches will be played at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

South Africa (1) 1 (Mabasa 44’)

Zambia (0) 2 (Mashata 50’, Kangwanda 69’)

SA: Mzimela, Sikhakhane, Allan, Mohamme, Lakay, Mthethwa, Mogaila (Letsoalo 63’), Cele (May 77’), Kapinga (Human 63’), Rayners, Mabasa (Tlolane 77’)

ZAMBIA: Mwansa, Mkandawire (Chepeshi 90+3’), Chabala, Kanguluma, Chishimba, Kapumbu, Kangwanda (Siankombo 88’), Kampamba (Katebe 82’), Mashata, Mulambia, Moyela (Phiri 46’)