Zambia crowned Cosafa Cup champs

Hosts Zambia beat defending champions Zimbabwe 2-0 in the Cosafa Cup final at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday afternoon.

  

A goal in each half from freekicks by Alex N’gonga early in the match and Kaboso Chongo in stoppage inspired the hosts to their first ever win over Zimbabwe in a Cosafa final.

The hosts looked the better side from the onset and their efforts were rewarded in the fourth minute when Alex N’gonga perfectly executed a freekick opened the scoring.

Last Chibwiro went into referee books three minutes later following a reckless challenge as the tempo of the match escalated.

With Zimbabwe living dangerously, Bornwell Mwape almost doubled the lead with 20 minutes gone only for the ball to miss the goalpost by inches.

Zimbabwe grew into the match but striker Tendai Ndoro was wasteful fluffing a couple of opportunities.

Masimba Mambare could have levelled the score four minutes after interval but his long range effort went over the bar. 

 
 


Despite the ball possession and introduction of Kabaso Chongo and Ronald Chitiyo, the Warrios could not get past Zambia backline and were punished in added time as substitute Chongo struck with another well taken freekick.
Zambia have now won the tournament four times to equal Zimbabwe’s record.