Bafana Bafana dumped out of the Cosafa Cup by Zambia

Bafana Bafana were eliminated by Zambia 2-1 in a tightly-contested Cosafa Cup semi-final at the King Zwelithini stadium on Friday evening.

The Copper Bullets had to come back from a goal down to beat South Africa thanks to two second-half goals from Golden Mashata and Albert Kangwanda. Zambia have now secured their spot in the final against Lesotho on Sunday and will look to win their seventh Cosafa title.

Zambia knocks Bafana out of Cosafa

Bafana striker Tshegofatso Mabasa opened the scoring for the home side in the 44^th minute of a tricky first half, but Chipolopolo had an aggressive play in the early stanza of the second half and were rewarded through a Golden Mashata goal in the 50^th minute.

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The Zambians were not done as winger Albert Kangwanda’s free kick in the 69^th minute stunned Olwethu Mzimela, who deputized in goal for the injured Jethren Barr.

Bafana Bafana tried to push for an equaliser but the Bullets defense held firm especially in the closing minutes.

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South Africa interim coach Morena Ramoreboli said the team lost the game when they conceded the free-kick in the 67th minute.

“it’s just unfortunate that you can’t control when are you going to concede, especially from a set-piece, and that’s how we ended up losing the match,” he said after the match.

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Players like Rowan Human, Lesedi Kampinga and Lyle Lakay knew thatt hsi tournament could perhaps be key for them if they are to get a contract with a PSL club. Human is looking to return to the PSL after Maritzburg was relegated while Kapinga was recently released by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Bafana will take on Malawi in a third-place against Malawi.

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