Sun, 02 Jul 2017 11:08:12 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE
LESOETSA
UNINSPIRING Zambia yesterday booked their Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Castle Cup semi-final slot after edging Botswana 2-1.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda was a happy man as the team managed to achieve his semi-final target at the on-going COSAFA tournament in South Africa.
The quarter-final game played at Moruleng Stadium, exposed the Chipolopolo players’ inexperience in all departments.
They lacked precision and good judgment on target, wasting clear-cut chances.
Zambia enjoyed a good share of the opening half with Justin Shonga coming close to putting the Chipolopolo ahead but his close range shot went wide.
Brian Mwila opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he trapped in a Shonga pass and released a powerful shot on the right corner of the net.
Kabelo Seakanyeng could have equalised for Botswana inside 32 minutes with his thunderbolt missing the post by centimetres.
The Zebras raised the tempo of play 10 minutes before the break and became a thorn in the flesh for the Zambian defenders.
Zambia survived a scare in the 38th minute with the goalkeeper Allan Chibwe beaten, but thanks to Captain Donashano Malama’s last hitch clearance of Tapiwa Gadibolae powerful header.
After the break, Zambia was still jittery and gave away chances while the Zebras looked more organised on the midfield.
Diamond Chikwekwe almost doubled the advantage for Zambia in the 55th minute but his shot was saved by goalkeeper. Zambia second goal came in the 70th minute when Zebra’s defender Moreetsi Mosimanyana scored an own goal from a Shonga effort.
Two minutes later, Zebra was awarded a penalty after Malama fouled Kebalo , but Chibwe heroically saved Thabang Sesinyi spot kick.
Botswana got their consolation goal in the 79th when Zambia’s Isaac Shamjompa scored with his chest with the intent of clearing Kabelo’s shot. The Chipolopolo held on to the 2-1 lead till the final whistle.Nyirenda said his boys lacked experience hence they were jittery throughout the game.
“For most of the players, this is their first international appearance hence were not comfortable on the ball. But I believe with today’s experience, it will be a different game in the semi-final,” he said.
