Injury-time stunner sinks Zambia as Namibia storm into COSAFA final
Zambia’s dream of a fourth straight final appearance came crashing down on Friday as the Zambia women's national football team suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Namibia in the semi-finals of the COSAFA Women's Championship at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Heavy favourites heading into the encounter, Zambia were left to rue a series of missed chances as Juliana Blou struck deep into stoppage time to send Namibia into their first final in two decades.
The Copper Queens, champions in two of the last three editions and runners-up in 2023, started brightly against a Namibian side they had not lost since 2014.
Inside five minutes, Margaret Belemu found Avell Chitundu in space, but the forward lifted her effort onto the roof of the net. Captain Kabange Mupopo also got into a promising position but failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Set-piece specialist Eneless Phiri nearly broke the deadlock with a free-kick that sailed narrowly over the bar as Zambia dominated possession without converting their superiority into goals.
They went into the break frustrated after controlling large spells of the first half.
Namibia, however, returned with renewed belief. Veteran midfielder Zenatha Coleman began to dictate proceedings after the interval and signalled intent with an early effort that drifted wide.
Despite continued pressure from Zambia, the decisive touch eluded them. Just when the contest appeared destined for penalties, a late lapse proved costly.
Coleman capitalised on a turnover in stoppage time and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Blou, who calmly slotted home the winner past a stunned Zambian defence.
The final whistle confirmed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and ended Zambia’s hopes of a historic three-peat of final appearances.
In the second semi-final, South Africa women's national soccer team edged Zimbabwe women's national football team 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Ethel Chinyerere had given Zimbabwe the lead with a superb long-range strike before Nthabiseng Majiya equalised for the hosts.
Goalkeeper Casey Gordon emerged as the hero in the shootout, saving a crucial spot-kick to book South Africa’s place in Sunday’s final.
Namibia will now take on South Africa in the championship decider at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Zambia face Zimbabwe in the third-place playoff earlier in the day.
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