Zebras fail to reach full gallop as COSAFA run ends

The Zebras registered all three results in their group-stage matches, beating Eswatini 1-0 in the opener before falling 2-1 to South Africa in the next match. They recorded a 0-0 stalemate against Namibia on Wednesday to bow out of the competition. The Zebras needed a win against Namibia to keep their hopes of extending their stay in Durban alive.

However, after failing to find the net, it means the Zebras once again could not repeat the feat of 2016 and 2019 when they reached the final. South Africa went through as group winners while in Group B, Malawi have secured their spot in the semi-final. Today’s games in Group C will all but confirm Lesotho as the team that proceeds to the semi-finals while a win for Mauritius against Mozambique could see the Islanders sneak through as the best placed runners-up.

Zambia have a healthier goal difference with six points and are favourites to move to the semi-finals as the best-placed runners-up.