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ZIMBABWE COACH GRABS HOME ADVANTAGE
Zimbabwe coach Charles Mhlauri made the decisive choice from the pot in the draw for the Cosafa Castle Cup, correctly selecting the ball that ensured his team would have a home match against Angola in the last four.
Mhlauri, who was in Windhoek to watch the last of the min-tournaments, drew home advantage for the Warriors against the World Cup finalists in a rematch of the last four meeting between the two countries last year, which Zimbabwe won in South Africa.
“It was good draw for Zimbabwe because we are up against seasoned campaigners who will give us the right level of est and competition for our youngsters,” he told the BBC.
Also participating in the draw was the Angolan coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves, but his selection from the bowl ensured a home game for Zambia against the surprise qualifiers Botswana.
He managed a rueful smile as Angola were drawn away yet again in the regional tournament. They last played at home in July 2004 when they needed penalties to overcome stout resistance from Botswana.
The Zambians, who won the weekend’s tournament in Namibia with victories over Malawi and the Seychelles, will host the Zebras in Lusaka on August 19.
Botswana upset South Africa in the mini tournament held in Gaborone in May, wining the final on post-match penalties.
Football Association of Zambia secretary general John Musonda said the capacity of the Independence stadium would have to be reduced to around 20,000 for the game with structural engineers having condemned the main grandstand, now considered unsafe.
Zimbabwe are expected to draw a near capacity crowd to the National Sports stadium for their September date against the Palancas Negras, fresh from their World Cup experience.
THE DRAW
On August 19:
In Lusaka: Zambia v Botswana
On September 17
In Harare: Zimbabwe v Angola
The winners will play in the final on the weekend of October 21-22.