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Substitute Given Singuluma pounced on a loose ball to secure a place for Zambia in the Cosafa Castle Cup final as they beat Botswana 1-0 in their semifinal in Lusaka on Saturday.
Singuluma profited from Botswana’s failure to clear a loose ball in the penalty area to score his first international goal just eight minutes after coming on at half-time.
The result means Zambia will play tin their third successive final in the annual regional championship, but are still seeking their first success since 1998.
Botswana, who had reached the last four of the competition for the first time, proved a difficult opponent for Zambia, who were hosting a game in Lusaka for the first time in over a year.
Botswana striker Tshepiso Molwantwa hit the upright with a thunderous shot early on and then missed a golden chance in the 27th minute before going off with a hamstring injury.
The visitors also had several half chances in the second half but looked to run out of steam once Zambia had scored.
Zambia now await the second semifinal between defending champions Zimbabwe and World Cup finalists Angola before knowing the identity of their final opponents.
The final is to be played in October.