Malawi itches for win over Mozambique as South Africa, Zambia booted out of Cosafa Cup

Host South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Zambia’s Chipolopolo boys have been knocked out of the Cosafa Cup, which saw two quarter final matches being decided by post match penalties.

Botswana and Namibia showed Bafana Bafana and Zambia the exit doors through 7-6 and 5-4 penalty shootout wins, respectively.

Namibia converted all five spot kicks while defending champions Zambia missed one spot kick, which eventually cost them the game.

Likewise, Bafana’s Kwanda Mngonyama’s penalty hit the woodwork which saw the Zebras clinching victory.

Just five minutes before the end of the first half, National First Division leading goal scorer Phumelele Bhengu failed to connect with the ball inside the box which could have given Bafana a lead from Marc van Heerden’s cross.

In the second half Marc Van Heerden supplied another cross to Bhengu but this time he tipped it over the cross bar.

Clayton Daniels also failed to connect with Van Heerden’s set-piece in the 56th minute.

Peter Butler’s Zebras were denied an opportunity to settle the game in the 90 as the referee waved away claims of a penalty-kick after Hendrick Moyo went down inside the area following a challenge from Nhlapo.

In the dying minutes Botswana missed a chance to grab a late winner as Kebatho failed to connect with a low cross from the right.

This saw the match going to penalties where Carl Lark missed the first penalty for Bafana. But Bafana made a comeback when Jackson Mabokgwane saved Hendrick Moyo’s penalty.

In other quarter final matches, Ghana will battle it out with Madagascar while Malawi face Mozambique. Both games will be played at Moruleng Stadium on Monday.

The Flames had their first full training session with all the players on Saturday afternoon in preparation for match against Mambas.

“The guys are in good spirits and we took them through the paces after the 2-1 defeat to South Africa in a training match Friday.

“The attitude of the players looks very good and I am impressed. We may make a number of changes from the team that started against South Africa against Mozambique,” said Chimodzi.