A new winner will be crowned when curtains come down in this
year’s Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup.
This is after Zambia and South Africa, the only two
remaining sides to have lifted the title, were stunned in the quarterfinals by
Namibia and Botswana respectively.
Holders Zambia had been given bye to the quarters and were
drawn to face Namibia who started their campaign in the group stages. Having
topped Group A with two wins, one draw and no defeat, the Namibians still
looked rusty against the Chipolopolo who had the edge in the entire match.
However, with no goals at the end of 90 minutes and no
provision of extra time, the duo faced off in penalty shootouts. After all the
first four takers converted, Emmanuel Mbola sent his shot over the bar,
presenting Namibia’s Deon Hotto with a chance to send them to the semifinals, a
call he duly answered.
The second semifinal pitting hosts South Africa and two-time
second runners up Botswana assumed the same trajectory. After a goalless 90
minutes, the duo clashed in an intense marathon shootout which ended with the
Zebras winning 7-6 to knockout the hosts.
Invitees Ghana are now favorites to land the title. The face
Madagascar who in the third quarterfinal of the competition at the Moruleng
Stadium before 2008 finalists Mozambique clash with two-time runners up Malawi.
And That's thesteifmastertake!!
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