Chipolopolo's Resilience Secures Victory Against Bafana Bafana in Cosafa Cup Semifinal
Zambia exhibited an impressive turnaround, emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline over tournament hosts South Africa in an intense Cosafa Cup semifinal clash held at Durban’s King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday evening.
The first half saw Chipolopolo trailing as Tshegofatso Mabasa’s opening goal for Bafana Bafana granted them a halftime lead. However, a spirited second-half performance led by Golden Mashata and Albert Kangwanda propelled the defending champions to triumph, fueling their pursuit of a record-breaking seventh title in this regional competition.
Zambia initiated the game’s first major threat on goal when Albert Kangwanda unleashed a low shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 11th minute, brilliantly saved by South Africa goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela.
End of the road for Bafana Bafana in the #COSAFACup2023
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 14, 2023
Full time:
RSA 🇿🇦1️⃣➖2️⃣Zambia 🇿🇲
🇿🇦⚽️ Tshegofatso Mabasa 44’
🇿🇲⚽️Golden Mashata 50’
🇿🇲⚽️Albert Kangwanda 69’ pic.twitter.com/pZmtkvqLT2
Cosafa Cup Semifinal: Zambia never gave up
Responding with determination, the host nation launched promising attacks of their own. In the 20th minute, one such offensive move forced Zambia’s keeper Francis Mwansa into an acrobatic fingertip save. Shortly thereafter, Lesedi Kapinga narrowly missed the mark with a close-range effort just past the midpoint of the first half.
Bafana Bafana gradually intensified their attacking pressure, reaping the rewards in the 44th minute. Iqraam Rayners unleashed a powerful shot from the left, causing Mwansa to palm the ball into a dangerous area. Seizing the opportunity, Tshegofatso Mabasa capitalized on the loose ball, propelling his team to a 1-0 lead.
Entering the interval with their advantage intact, South Africa nearly extended it as Mabasa created another chance soon after the restart. However, Chipolopolo swiftly retaliated, equalizing the scoreline at 1-1 in the 50th minute.
A long throw-in bounced around South Africa’s penalty area, ultimately met by Golden Mashata’s left-footed volley, expertly finding the back of the net to restore parity.
Cosafa Cup Semifinal: Momentum continued in Zambia's favor
The momentum continued in Zambia’s favor as they claimed the lead for the first time in the 69th minute. Albert Kangwanda mesmerized with a brilliant strike from a direct free kick, curling the ball past Mzimela with pinpoint accuracy, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to intervene.
South Africa responded admirably to falling behind, pressuring Mwansa with sharp saves as Rayners and substitute Rowan Human unleashed their efforts in the 74th minute. Kangwanda, too, tested Mzimela’s reflexes with a powerful shot in the 80th minute.
These were the last significant chances witnessed at either end as Chipolopolo held firm, securing a victory that extinguished the host nation’s aspirations of glory.
South Africa will now face Malawi in the third-place playoff on Sunday afternoon, followed by the final between Zambia and Lesotho in the evening. Both matches are scheduled to take place at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Match Statistics:
South Africa (1) 1 (Mabasa 44’)
Zambia (0) 2 (Mashata 50’, Kangwanda 69’)
Lineups:
South Africa: Mzimela, Sikhakhane, Allan, Mohamme, Lakay, Mthethwa, Mogaila (Letsoalo 63’), Cele (May 77’), Kapinga (Human 63’), Rayners, Mabasa (Tlolane 77’)
Zambia: Mwansa, Mkandawire (Chepeshi 90+3’), Chabala, Kanguluma, Chishimba, Kapumbu, Kangwanda (Siankombo 88’), Kampamba (Katebe 82’), Mashata, Mulambia, Moyela (Phiri 46’)
