Bulawayo - Zambia are through to the final of the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Mozambique at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon.
Chipolopolo will now meet tournament hosts Zimbabwe in the title decider at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Sunday, while Mozambique meet South Africa in the Third/Fourth-Place Play-Off in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Zambia took an eighth minute lead when Ennock Sakala skilfully turned the ball home after the ball had been played back into the six-yard box from the corner.
Sakala had a golden chance to make it 2-0 when he was put one-on-one with Mozambique goalkeeper Albino Cossa, but the giant keeper got down well to block his goal-bound effort.
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At the other end, Ruby Pamara almost managed to beat Zambia goalkeeper Henry Banda, when he found himself one-on-one, but the goalkeeper blocked the ball at his feet, and Pamara was unable to claim the rebound as it bounced loose, only for Banda got a second bite at the cherry.
Despite plenty of hustle and bustle, there were no further significant saves for either goalkeeper to make in the opening period and Zambia went into the break with their 1-0 lead in tact.
Sakala had a chance with a first-time volley that was comfortably saved by Cossa, while at the other end Pamara had a great chance after finding space in the box, but ballooned his shot over the crossbar when he really should have hit the target at least.
Josemar Machaisse volleyed wide from Samuel Chapanga's cross for The Mambas, while Hichani Himonde proved an excellent block from Machaisse's shot shortly afterwards as Mozambique piled the pressure on the Zambian goal.
Cossa was forced into a fine save from Allan Mukuka, but Zambia doubled their advantage when substitute Felix Sunzu bundled the ball into the Mozambique net from Mukuka's cross on 84 minutes. - Sapa
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