Zambia retain cosafa cup
Zambia’s Chipolopolo have defended the HollywoodBets Cosafa Cup after edging Lesotho 1-0 in the final at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The Chipolopolo, who started on wrong foot losing 1-0 to the Flames in group stage, had to wait until the 78th minute when Moyela Libamba headed in from a corner-kick.
While it was celebration time for our neighbours, the Flames on the other hand failed to claim a podium finish following a 3-5 post-match penalties loss to hosts South Africa in third place play-offs.
Malawi put up a grand performance against the hosts, but faltered when it mattered most, missing a spot-kick in post-match penalties.
However, replays showed that striker Christopher Kumwembe’s spot-kick looked like it crossed the line after bouncing off the cross bar.
However, Malawi had a consolation as forward Chawanangwa Kaonga, who scored two goals and won two Player of the March Awards, was named Player of the Tournament while the Flames won the Fair Play Award.
The Flames have failed to claim a podium finish at 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup following a 3-5 loss to hosts South Africa on post-match penalties yesterday at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The two sides, who were battling for bronze after disappointing semi-finals losses to Lesotho and Zambia respectively, had to settle their scores on post-match penalties after a gruelling regulation time ended goalless.
Not that the two sides did not create chances, but rather it was the two goalkeepers, Brighton Munthali for Malawi and Olwethu Mzimela for the hosts who had a grand game.
Coach Patrick Mabedi made six changes to the Flames squad in third place play-off.
The tactician rested captain Stanley Sanudi, Lloyd Aaron, Christopher Kumwembe, Nickson Mwase, striker Lanjesi Nkhoma and Alick Lungu who started in all the group matches including the semi-finals.
Left-back Daniel Chimbalanga, holding midfielder Frank Willard, right-back McDonald Lameck, centre-back Lawrence Chaziya, midfielder Chrispin Mapemba and striker Chifundo Mphasi started for the first time at the tournament.
Midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu, goalkeeper Munthali, defender Denis Chembezi, Kaonga and midfielder Chimwemwe Idana were only players from the semi-final to start again in third place play-offs.
In the absence of Sanudi, Idana captained the side.
Bafana Bafana coach Morena Ramoreboli also made eight changes to his first XI.
Keegan Allan, Thembela Sikhakhane, Mokhete Mogaila, Thabo Cele, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Iqraam Rayners, Alton Kapinga and Lyle Lakay, who started against Zambia in the semi-final, were mot in the starting line-up.
Instead, Ramoreboli replaced them with fringe players Puso Dithejane, Lancaster Human, Tebogo Tlolane, Shadrack Kobedi, Lesogo Sebetlela, Sepana Letsoalo, Genino Palace and Siyabonga Gumede.
However, he maintained captain Katlego Mohamme, goalkeeper Mzimela and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
With both sides licking their wounds from the semi-final defeats, the match was an open and end-to-end affair.
Both sides created plenty of chances but could not beat the goalkeepers.
In post-match penalties the hosts converted all their spot kicks through Human, Mabasa, Rayners, Mogalia and Lakay.
Malawi’s Christopher Kumwembe hit the bar while Aaron, Chaziya and Kaonga converted.
It was a repeat of the semi-finals when Malawi also lost to Lesotho 3-0 on penalties.
