The Chipolopolo Boys ended their disappointing 2025 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup campaign with a draw.
The Copper Bullets were held to a 3-3 draw by Botswana as they suffered a second group stage exit at the regional showpiece for a second year in a row.
Botswana were within minutes of taking top spot in Group D, but a penalty from Joseph Phiri for Zambia earned a 3-3 draw for Chipolopolo and denied the Zebras a semifinal place, much to the delight of Comoros.
Botswana raced into a 2-0 lead as goals from Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Serati Semadi (penalty) put them in the driving seat, before Zambia roared back to top level the game at 2-2.
Charles Zulu converted a penalty and Tinklar Sakala added a second early in the second half.
It was anybody’s game after that, but Botswana looked to have booked their semifinal place thanks to Thabo Maponda’s goal on the hour-mark.
But when they conceded a penalty in injury-time, Phiri converted to dash their semifinal dreams.
Zambia are winless at COSAFA since winning the tournament back in July 2023, They have now lost 4 games and drawn one since then.
COSAFA Cup 2025 | FULL-TIME:
Botswana 3-3 Zambia
(Thatayaone Kgamanyane 2′ Serati Semadi 31′ Pen, Thabo Maponda 60’| Charles Zulu 45′ Pen, Tinkler Sinkala 52’, Joseph Phiri 90’ Pen)
