Zambia now know their 2018 COSAFA Cup semifinal opponents after Sunday’s final round of quarterfinal fixtures.
Chipolopolo will play old foes Madagascar on June 6 for a place in the June 9 finals at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Madagascar stunned the COSAFA Cup hosts South Africa 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 0-0 fulltime result.
South Africa were unfortunate not to put the contest to bed within the 90 minutes thanks to Madagascar goalkeeper Jean Randrianasolo who denied ex-Under-20 striker Luther Singh in the 12th minute and Lebohang Maboe in the 34th minute.
Aubrey Modiba then hit the Madagascar post in the 63rd minute before the tie was settled on the shootouts.
South Africa led the shootout count by 3-1 but a miss by Jamie Webber handed Madagascar a chance to rally when Andoniaina Andrianavalona, Jean Baggio, including their star man Andrianamirado Hasina converted for the Islanders.
Singh then paid the price for a casual spot-kick before Bakary Mario scored the clincher to send Madagascar to their debut COSAFA Cup semifinal appearance.
This will also be Zambia and Madagascar’s debut COSAFA Cup meeting and their first in over 17 years.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will face Lesotho in the second semifinal on Wednesday after they were tested by Botswana to finish 1-1 at fulltime.
But the defending champions’ goalkeeper George Chigova was in inspired form who made three post-match penalty saves to win 4-1 in the shootout.
Its like this tournament is all about goalkeepers. All countries have no strikers. Then all awards must go to goalkeepers. Notningb like top scorers or what. An important tournamanet like COSAFA you czn not have atop scoers with 4 goes rubbish.
Are you sure ba LT?
Go on, tell the truth as you live inthere.
Its disappointing that most players and supports complain that some players are not given a chance. Sata Sata looked very ordinary in the last game. The Zambian frontline in my opinion looks very blunt to say the least. Zimbabwe has a full strength national time. They have Karuru, Billiat and Rusike. They also have huge support! In the event that we get to the final against the Warriors our guys will have to work extra hard to overcome them. I’m impressed with Toaster though he didnt save a penalty. Madagascar will give us a good practice but i’m not too optimistic
I thought its Lesotho
Zambia team performed very poorly in all areas. They displayed a lot of energy but wrongly placed:
. ? . Passing was very pure due to many inaccurate passes – ball always ending up in opponents legs.
. ? . Poor position keeping – use of wingers was non existent.
. Very poor ball control
. ? . No anticipation in area 18 – strikers must always be ready for inadvertent balls coming through and then striking them with accuracy on gall.
. ? . We were lucky that Namibia were equally underdogs lacking in almost all areas as well.
King Kalu was there I hope he has given some advice to the lads. If we play Madagascar and Zimbabwe like that then we are ROASTED MEAT READY TO BE EATEN.