MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
ZAMBIA and Zimbabwe this evening lock horns yet again to decide who goes to the final of this year’s COSAFA tournament taking pace in South Africa.
The Warriors, as the Zimbabwean team is fondly referred to, go into this semi-final clash with an upper hand having beaten the Chipolopolo Boys in two back to back in the 2017 and 2018 finals respectively.
A win for Zambia will not only see the Chipolopolo avenge their last two back to back losses by will see it qualify to the finals for the third time in a row.
New Zambia stand-in coach Aggrey Chiyangi who is bubbling with confidence because the majority of his players are debutants comprising of young stars.
Chiyangi’s debutants include Green Eagle’s goal keeper Sebastian Mwange who has commanded a place in the first eleven and was a hero in Sunday’s penalty shoot-out against Malawi.
Among other rising stars expected to shine against the highly fancied Warriors include hot shot Austin Muwowo who already stole the limelight in the 4- 2 penalty shoot-out win over Malawi by scoring Zambia’s first goal in regulation time.
Muwowo’s teammate at Forest Rangers, Webster Muzaza is also making his debut at the tournament alongside ZANACO’s striker Chitiya Mususu, Nkana’s Gift Zulu, Kabwe Warriors Tandi Mwape who has been impressive for the Kabwe side in the league as well as ZESCO’s impressive defender Clement Mwape.
Zambia last beat Zimbabwe in a COSAFA final during the 2013 edition when they reigned supreme over their neighbours by beating them 2-0, courtesy of Alex Ng’onga and Chongo Kabaso to win their fourth title on home soil.
Red Arrows captain Bruce Musakanya is the only surviving member of the 2013 class that beat Zimbabwe and could use his experience to encourage his young teammates.
The Zambian side will be looking to replicate their 2013 predecessors by avenging their two back to back losses.
The two neighbours have met seven times in COSAFA Cup organized games since inception in 1997 with the first game going Zambia’s way in one-nil win over Zimbabwe in the 1998 edition.
