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ZAMBIA THROUGH TO COSAFA CASTLE CUP SEMIFINAL
Zambia booked a place in the semifinals of the Cosafa Castle Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Seychelles in the finals of the Group C mini tournament in Windhoek on Sunday.
First half goals from James Chamanga and Ignatius Lwipa secured the final win over the islanders, who had secured a surprise win over the host nation Namibia in the four-nation min-tournament on Saturday.
Zambia, two-time winners of the annual southern African championship, now host Botswana in the semifinal next month while defending champions Zimbabwe are up against World Cup finalists Angola in Harare in September.
Zambia dominated against their island opponents but took 33 minutes to open the score through James Chamanga, who tapped-in a square pass from Dube Phiri.
A second goal was added by Ignatius Lwipa, latching onto a pass from deep in defence and lobbying over the head of Seychelles goalkeeper Nelson Sopha in the 44thn minute.
Zambia also hit the woodwork through Rainford Kalaba, who also had a close-in header late in the game ruled offside.
Hosts Namibia came from behind to beat Malawi 3-2 in the third place play-off match earlier in the day.
Playing under new coach Ben Bamfuchile, Namibia went behind to a 19th minute goal from Moses Chavula but Heinrich Isaaks equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Namibia scored a minute after the break with a debut goal for Rudi Bester and then extended their lead with a penalty from Henrico Botes after Maupo Msowoya had handled on the goal line. The Malawi defender was sent off for the offence.
A free kick from James Chilapondwa reduced the arrears in the last five minutes.