'JJ' bags COSAFA golden boot

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday July 22, 2013 00:00

Ramatlhakwana's four goals could not be matched by anyone in the remaining teams. The CS Don Bosco striker scored a hat trick against Lesotho in the match that ended 3-3. He added on to his tally in the 2-1 win against Kenya in the Zebras final match at the tournament.

He joins a crop of the region's top strikers who have previously won the golden boot at the tournament, among them Zimbabwean legend Peter Ndlovu and Zambian Collins Mbesuma.No one has scored more than four goals in the cup's 16-year-old history and Ramatlhakwana is only the fifth player to reach the tally at the cup. Former BFA president and member of the COSAFA executive committee David Fani received the award in Ramatlhakwana's absence.

Meanwhile, hosts Zambia beat their neighbours Zimbabwe 2-0 to be crowned this year champions in a pulsating final played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium here on Saturday. Alex N'goga put the home side ahead as early as the fourth minute after beautifully connecting a freekick. The goal sent the packed 41, 000 capacity stadium into a frenzy as the home fans cheered their team and booed the opponents.

However, Zimbabwe steadily gained their feet in the match and started dominating possession and creating chances. Zimbabwe goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu made an acrobatic save to stop Misheck Chaila from doubling the lead for Zambia midway through the half. Former Nico United striker Tendai Ndoro had two chances just before the half-hour mark but missed. His well-executed header in the 24th minute went narrowly wide and the goalkeeper denied him from close range on the 28th minute.

Goalkeepers on both sides would become key in the second half as they made multiple saves with both teams creating chances. Chipolopolo carried their slim lead into the 90th minute, but a magnificent free kick curled in by substitute Kabaso Chongo in the first minute of injury time doubled the lead for Zambia.

Zimbabwe would cry foul after being denied a penalty thereafter when a Zambian player handled the ball inside the box and the referee signaled play-on. Zambia now joins Zimbabwe for most wins of the competition, with four apiece. Meanwhile, Botswana's assistant referee Oamogetse Godisamang also received a winners' medal after officiating in the final. Earlier on, Joshua Bondo was the fourth official in the third-place playoff match, which South Africa won 2-1 against Lesotho.