Zambia eliminate Malawi via penalties

Zambia secured a spot in the COSAFA Cup semi-finals after seeing off Malawi on penalties on Sunday evening.

The Malawians drew the first sugar after Gabadinho Mhango evaded a challenge to slice into the bottom corner.

Zambia were inches away from a leveller through Tapson Kaseba on 11 minutes, but Ernest Kakhobwe averted the danger for Malawi.

Despite the lead, Malawi struggled to penetrate as Kakhobwe smothered John Banda’s effort on 28 minutes and Lazarus Kambowe’s close-range strike seconds later.

The half draw to a close with the Zambians on the ascendancy, as the Malawians hanged onto their slender lead.

The battle continued for Chipolopolo in the second stanza, as Malawi doubled the lead from the penalty spot through Gerald Phiri Junior five minutes into the second half.

Zambia restored their hopes seven minutes later as Austin Muwowo drew a cut back outside the area to lash past Kakhobwe.

With their tails up, the Zambians turned to the bench two minutes later and brought on Nicholas Chabula and Bruce Musakhanya.

Momentum remained with the Flames, as Mhango went close with a curling shot on 68 minutes which Kakhobwe parried.

in similar fashion to South Africa's clash with Botswana, Zambia levelled on 89 minutes, as Kaseba set up Chabula to tap home and send the clash to penalties.

Malawi missed two spot kicks while the Zambians netted four, with Chabula firing home the final kick to send Zambia to the final four.