A tightly-contested semi-final at the King Zwelithini stadium in uMlazi saw Zambia defeat the COSAFA Bafana Bafana 2-1 in a tightly-contested affair on Friday (14 July 2023).
Striker Tshegofatso Mabasa opened the scoring for the home side in the 44th minute of a tricky first half, but Chipolopolo had an aggressive play in the early stanza of the second half and were rewarded through a Golden Mashata goal in the 50th minute.
The Zambians were not done as winger Albert Kangwanda’s free kick in the 69th minute stunned Olwethu Mzimela, who deputized in goal for the injured Jethren Barr.
“it’s just unfortunate that you can’t control when are you going to concede, especially from a set-piece, and that’s how we ended up losing the match,” said South Africa coach Morena Ramoreboli.