June 11 – Zambia won the Cosafa Cup in a narrow victory 1-0 over Botswana in Durban, South Africa, in the annual Southern Africa championship.
The Chipolopolo triumphed in the regional championship for a fifth time, their first win since 2013. Botswana were beaten again after losing the 2016 final.
Botswana were dominant in the first half, but failed to capitalise on their chances. A new-look Zambia, after the dismissal of Belgian coach Sven Vandenbroeck, scored their winner through Tapson Kaseba 12 minutes from time. He had another opportunity to put the game beyond Botswana, but hit the crossbar.
On Friday, holders Zimbabwe won the bronze medal by edging Lesotho 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the third place play-off.
The Cosafa region will be represented by Zimbabwe, South Africa, Madagascar and Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Zambians, who won the tournament in 2012, failed to qualify for the event. Africa’s continental championship kicks off on June 21. It will be the second time that 24 teams participate in the finals.
In August South Africa will stage the Cosafa Women’s Championship while the Cosafa U-20 Women’s Championship will run concurrently at the same venue from August 1-11.
South Africa stepped in at the last minute to host this year’s Cosafa Cup after Zimbabwe pulled out.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735137936labto1735137936ofdlr1735137936owedi1735137936sni@o1735137936fni1735137936