Bafana Bafana’s record in Cosafa Cup semifinals

South Africa will play their 10th semifinal in the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup on Friday when they take on Zambia at the King Zwelithini Stadium and they have certainly not had it their own way down the years.

We take a look at their past tussles at this stage of the competition.

2000 - SOUTH AFRICA 0-1 ZIMBABWE A Bafana Bafana side led by Trott Moloto squared up against a powerful Zimbabwe team and lost their semifinal 1-0. Kaitano Tembo, current manager of Richards Bay, got the only goal of the game in what is now Gqeberha.

2002 – SOUTH AFRICA 4-1 ESWATINIBafana met Eswatini in their last-four clash in Polokwane two years later and this time came away with a thumping win. Teboho Mokoena netted a brace to go with a penalty for Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) and a goal for Stanton Fredericks. South Africa went on to beat Malawi in the two-legged final to record their first Cosafa Cup trophy win.

2005 – SOUTH AFRICA 2-2 ZAMBIAA first semifinal against Zambia and despite goals from Lungi Ndlela and the late Abram Raselemane, Bafana were held to a 2-2 draw by Chipolopolo as James Chamanga and Chris Katongo netted for Zambia. South Africa had to come from two goals down, but lost an epic shoot-out 9-8 in Mmabatho.

2007 – SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 BOTSWANAA tight tussle at the Atteridgeville Stadium was won 1-0 by South Africa thanks to Teko Modise’s lone goal. Bafana went on to get revenge over Zambia with a shootout win in the final after the teams finished goalless. Modise also scored the winning kick there.

2008 – SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 ZAMBIAThe following year and Bafana met Zambia in the semifinals, this time edging their opponents with a lone goal from Lefa Tsutsulupa. They also won the final 2-1 after beating Mozambique.

2009 – ZIMBABWE 1-1