COSAFA CUP: Zambia Recorded A First Win

Zambia finally recorded their first win of the ongoing COSAFA Cup tournament as they edged the Zebras of Botswana 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.

The win means Zambia has kept its hopes of qualifying for the semifinals alive.

Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic made six changes to the team that suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Eswatini. 2012 AFCON winner Kennedy Mweene was dropped to the bench alongside Zachariah Chilongoshi, Kabaso Chongo, Salulani Phiri, Moses Phiri, and Brian Mwila.

Gamphani Lungu, Justin Shonga, and Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba returned to the starting lineup while Gregory Sianjase and Isaac Shamujompa made their first starts for the tournament.

Cape Town City forward Justin Shonga put Zambia in the lead in the 20th minute to make sure the Copper Bullets went to the break leading by a lone goal.

Thatayaone Kgamanyane pulled the Zebras level in the 59th minute before Shonga could seal the win from the penalty spot, 2-1 the match ended.

Zambia must now beat South Africa on Wednesday to stand a chance of progressing to the semifinals, as well as hoping that Botswana defeats Eswatini.

That would leave all three sides on six points and create a mini-league which would come down to goal difference and potentially goals scored. Or perhaps even the drawing of lots. However, Eswatini needs just a point to qualify for the semifinals.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Group B
Malawi 1 (Mhone 73’) Namibia 1 (Kambindu 53’)

Senegal 2 (Ndoye 44’, Ba 88’) Zimbabwe 1 (Amini 3’)

Group A
Zambia 2 (Shonga 21’, 83’) Botswana 1 (Kgamanyane 62′)

South Africa 4 (Letsoalo 5’, 44’, 57’, Mkhulise 20’) Lesotho