Brave Warriors crash out of Cosafa Cup

POLOKWANE, 02 JUN (NAMPA) – The Brave Warriors crashed out of the 2018 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup on Saturday following a 4-3 penalty loss to Zambia after the game ended 0-0 in regulation time.

The match, which was played at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, saw the Zambians dominate Namibia for much of the match, but they failed to convert chances that came their way in the regular 90 minutes of action.
Namibia were the first to threaten when right back Vitapi Ngaruka missed the target from 18 yards out. His powerful shot narrowly went over the bar after being set up by Deon Hoto.

John Ching’andu of Zambia then shot over twice within a space of five minutes, while Namibia’s goalkeeper Max Mbaeva saved a tame shot from Lazarous Kambole.

In the 37th minute, Dynamo Fredericks shot over the bar after being set up by Panduleni Nekundi, before Riaan Hanamub narrowly missed the top corner with a powerful shot from a free kick with a minute to go to half-time.

The half-time score was 0-0.

The second half saw Zambia continue their dominance over Namibia as they continued to shoot from range and Mbaeva kept his side in with several saves.

In the 53rd minute, Mbaeva was again a hero when he punched away Kelvin Mubanga’s shot following a neat exchange of passes.

Zambian players, officials and fans were up on their feet claiming a penalty in the 53rd minute after the ball appeared to hit Charles Hambira’s hand in the box, but the referee waved their claims off.

Namibia then lost Nekundi to an injury in the 72nd minute and he was replaced by Itamunua Keimuine.
Namibia’s performance seemed to drop after this as Zambia laid siege to their half.
The Brave Warriors then missed two golden opportunities from the two substitutes Willem Pinehas and Keimuine, leaving the two teams stuck at 0-0 full time.

The result meant that the lottery of the penalties had to decide the game.

Namibia missed their first two spot kicks through captain Ronald Ketjijere and Hanamub before Emilio Martin, Keimuine, and Denzil Haoseb converted.

Zambia scored through Collins Sikombe, Jackson Chirwa, goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and Clatous Nsabata.
Kambole crashed his spot kick against the post.

Zambia now moves on to play in the semi-finals where they will face either South Africa or Madagascar, while Namibia now shifts their attention to the Plate competition.

They will lay the losers of the South Africa-Madagascar match on Tuesday at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Cosafa Cup started on 27 May and ends 09 June.
NAMPA