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 #COSAFACup2023Full 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