Namibia, Zambia in semis
Namibia ............... 2
Madagascar ......... 0
DURBAN - Namibia and Zambia booked their places in the semifinals of the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup 2022 with contrasting victories in their quarterfinal clashes at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban yesterday.
Namibia defeated Madagascar 2-0 to advance to the next stage, where they will face the winner of Wednesday’s clash between defending champions South Africa and Mozambique.
Zambia needed penalties to see off Botswana following a 1-1 draw and now await the victor between west African guest nation Senegal and Eswatini.
Botswana were unlucky to fall behind as a cut-back from Zambian forward Ricky Banda struck defender Tebogo Kopelang and rebounded past helpless Zebras goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
Zambia spurned a few chances after that, and Botswana were level on 53 minutes with a cracking strike. A ball flashed across the Zambian goal reached left-back Benson Mangolo and his strike with his less favoured right foot arrowed into the top corner.
Both sides hit the post in the game, but the match went to penalties, and Mangolo turned villain as he struck his spot-kick wide to allow Zambia a 5-4 victory.
Namibia brushed aside Madagascar in their quarterfinal, with the islanders making a first appearance at the competition since 2018.
The Malagasy players only arrived in Durban on Tuesday morning so were on the back foot from the start, and in truth never quite got to grips with the Brave Warriors.
After a goalless first half, Absalom Iimbondi put Namibia in front from the penalty-spot, before Rudath Wendell added a second from an impossibly tight angle midway through the second period.
Madagascar were down to 10 men when Rojo Andriamanjato received his marching orders for a second bookable offence and it could have little complaints after a wild challenge that might have been deserving of a red card on its own.