This year, the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) celebrates 21 years of the COSAFA Cup.
With the first tournament having been staged in 1997; the 2018 event will be staged in South Africa’s Limpopo province from
May 27-June 9.
And for the first time will feature all 14 members of
COSAFA, a massive celebration of football in the Southern African
region.
Here we go on a trip down memory lane, as we look at how the tournament has unfolded.
1997 COSAFA CUP
Zambia were crowned inaugural champions of the COSAFA Cup after they
claimed the 1997 event with top spot in the tournament mini-league. The
maiden Southern African championship featured nine sides, including East
African guests Tanzania.
The format saw ‘quarterfinal’ matches played, with the four victors
in those joining Tanzania in a round-robin competition. Chipolopolo
would finish top of the pool and ensure they were regional champions for
the year.
Botswana hosted Malawi in the first ever COSAFA Cup game on March 1,
1997 and it took just three minutes for the first goal to be scored,
Aaron Lesupi giving the hosts the lead from the penalty spot inside
three minutes. But The Flames fought back after that and roared to a 4-1
success to book their place in the league phase.
Some 20 000 fans turned out the following day to watch Zambia down
Lesotho 2-0 in Maseru, two goals within five first half minutes from
Edward Kangwa and Mwape Miti good enough for Chipolopolo.
Mozambique star Adelino netted a hat-trick for The Mambas in their
4-0 quarterfinal win over Swaziland, while Namibia edged Zimbabwe 2-1
after extra-time with all three goals coming from the penalty spot!
Zambia ended the round-robin phase with eight points, followed by
Namibia (six), Mozambique (five), Tanzania (three) and Malawi (two).
1998 COSAFA CUP
The 1998 COSAFA Cup saw the entry of South Africa and Angola for the
first time, with the pair having missed the inaugural campaign due to
their World Cup qualification commitments.
It was not a happy entry for Bafana Bafana though as they lost 3-2 in
the first round to Namibia, a first-ever win for the Brave Warriors
over their neighbours.
The other four quarterfinal matches went to form, Zambia advanced
thanks to a 1-0 success in Malawi, while Zimbabwe eased past Lesotho
2-0.
Mozambique came from behind to win 2-1 in Botswana, Tico-Tico and
Avelino with the goals, while Angola edged Swaziland 1-0. That set up a
five-team round-robin tournament between the remaining sides that
started in April and ran through to September of that year.
Zambia again headed the table with eight points, followed by Zimbabwe (six), Angola (six), Namibia (five) and Mozambique (one).
1999 COSAFA CUP
The third installment of the COSAFA Cup was played in 1999 and for
the first time was a knockout tournament from start to finish. There
were once again 10 competing nations, Zambia and Zimbabwe handed byes
through to the quarterfinals having finished as the top two in the
previous year’s tournament.
Namibia won their place in the final after beating South Africa and Swaziland and took on Angola.
The final was played over two legs, with the first in Luanda settled 1-0 in favour of Angola after a penalty from Betinho.
Eliphas Shivute brought Namibia level in the second leg in Windhoek,
sending the tie into extra-time. But a goal from Zico after 101 minutes
handed Angola the first of their three COSAFA Cup titles to date.
2000 COSAFA CUP
The fourth instalment of the COSAFA Cup saw Zimbabwe claim a first
ever title, one of four they would go on to win to date. Seychelles and
Madagascar had recently been inaugurated as COSAFA members, but not
soon enough to be involved in this year’s competition as they were
hindered by budgetary constraints.
Holders Angola looked to be heading for another final when Fabrice
Akwa gave them the lead in their semi-final in Lesotho, but two goals in
the final six minutes turn the match around for the hosts. Motlatsi
Maseela and Teele Ntsonyana scored for them.
South Africa were then stunned 1-0 at home by a Kaitano Tembo goal
for Zimbabwe and would have to wait another year for their first
tournament win. It set up a two-legged final between the Zimbabweans
and Lesotho that was comfortably won by the former.
AN Eric Makara own goal and further strikes from William Mugeyi and
Luke Petros gave Zimbabwe a 3-0 win in Maseru, before they won by the
same margin in Harare in the second game. Luke Petros (penalty), Robson
Chisango and Benjani Mwaruwari were on target on this occasion.
2001 COSAFA CUP
The fifth installment of the COSAFA Cup featured 11 Southern African
countries and would again end in an Angolan victory, their second
title. Seychelles and Madagascar were missing once more as they battled
with financial constraints, but all the usual big names were there to
compete.
Zambia and Angola played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg
of their semifinal in Lusaka that ended with a 4-2 penalty shootout win
for Palancas Negras. Fabrice Akwa had given Angola the lead, before
Chaswe Nsofwa equalised for Zambia.
Zimbabwe had an easier time in getting past Malawi, winning 2-0 as
Edzai Kasinauyo and Maxwell Dube scored for them. The final was also
played over two legs, with the first in Luanda ending in a 0-0 draw.
Angola edged the second match 1-0 thanks to an 87thminute winner from Flavio amid scenes of great rapture.
2002 COSAFA CUP
South Africa won a maiden COSAFA Cup title in 2002, a tournament that
also featured Madagascar for the first time. Seychelles were the only
COSAFA member at the time who did not take part. Malawi’s fine run
through the tournament continued as they edged Zambia 1-0 in the
semi-finals, Esau Kanyendawith the goal, this time from the
penalty-spot.
And South Africa found their scoring form as they defeated Swaziland
4-1, Tebeho Mokoena (two), Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) and Stanton
Fredericks hitting the back of the net. The 2017 COSAFA Cup Legend Siza
Dlamini got a consolation for the Swazis.
That set up a two-legged final that was comfortably won by South
Africa in the end, their 3-1 win in Blantyre in the first match setting
up the victory. Patrick Mayo (two) and Jimmy Kauleza scored for South
Africa, while Malawi responded with a Patrick Mabedi penalty.
The second leg was won 1-0 by Bafana Bafana, a late goal from
Benedict Vilakazi ensuring the trophy was theirs for the first time.
2003 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe would claim their second COSAFA Cup title in 2003 with a
deserved success in another fine tournament. There were two tantalising
semifinals, with Malawi defeated Zambia 4-2 on penalties in the first.
Russell Mwafulirwa put Malawi ahead, but Sashi Chalwe equalised with a
minute to go. The Flames held their nerve in the shoot-out.
A brace from Peter Ndlovu against Swaziland put Zimbabwe into the
two-legged decider, which in the end was won comfortably by the
Warriors. They claimed a 2-1 success in the first leg in Blantyre,
Albert Mbano and Zvenyika Makonese putting them in command before
Mwafulira pulled a late goal back. But the home leg was a 2-0 success in
Harare a week later, Charles Yohane and Peter Ndlovu on the scoresheet.
2004 COSAFA CUP
Angola became the most successful country in COSAFA Cup history at
the time when they won the 2004 edition of the competition – their third
and to date last title triumph. It was achieved with a run of four
successive victories, when they eventually defeated Zambia in the final
on penalties.
Both semi-finals were tight affairs, with Angola edging Mozambique
1-0 in a battle of the Portuguese speaking nations. Flavio was on target
for them.
Zimbabwe and Zambia played to a 0-0 draw in their tie that was
eventually won 5-4 on penalties by Chipolopolo. It set up just a single
final meeting (previous years had home and away ties) in Lusaka that
again would go to penalties, and Angola held their nerve to claim the
victory and win 5-4.
2005 COSAFA CUP
The 2005 COSAFA Cup saw a change in format for the competition, with a
group phase that comprised of three pools, each containing four sides.
The top teams in each section met in a semi-final, with the winner
advancing to the final of the pool. The winners of the three groups then
joined holders Angola in the semi-finals which, along with the final,
was held in Mafikeng in South Africa.
Zimbabwe defeated Angola in their semi-final 2-1. Love put Angola in
the lead, but the Warriors struck back with goals from Francis Chandida
and Sageby Sandaka to advance. South Africa and Zambia played to a
thrilling 2-2 draw before Chipolopolo advanced 9-8 in a nail-biting
penalty shoot-out.
James Chamanga and Chris Katongo put Zambia in control, before Bafana
Bafana hit back thanks to goals from Lungisani Ndlela and the late
Abram Raselemane.
There were no further goals and it was Zambia who held their nerve in the shoot-out.
Zimbabwe claimed their third COSAFA Cup title in the final though,
with a Chandida goal late on handing them a 1-0 victory over the
Zambians.
2006 COSAFA CUP
The 2006 COSAFA Cup followed the same format as the previous year, with
three first round groups deciding who would join holders Zimbabwe in the
semi-finals of the competition. Zambia were also successful in their
competition semi-final, defeating Botswana 1-0 thanks to a lone second
half goal from Given Singuluma in Lusaka.
Angola booked their place in the final with an excellent 2-1 victory
in Harare over Zimbabwe, Gazeta and Love scoring on either side of a
strike from Francis Chandida for the home side. That took the final to
Lusaka, where Zambia eased to a 2-0 victory over Palancas Negras, Dube
Phiri and Chaswe Nsofwa on target for them as they recorded their third
COSAFA Cup triumph.
2007 COSAFA CUP
South Africa won the first of two successive COSAFA Cup titles in 2007,
ending up victorious on home soil when they defeated Zambia in a penalty
shoot-out in the final. The semifinals were both held at the Lucas
Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, where Noah Chivuta, Emmanuel Mayuka and
William Njovu handed Zambia an easy 3-0 win against Mozambique.
Teko Modise gave South Africa a much more slender 1-0 success over
Botswana. The final was staged a week later in Bloemfontein and after a
0-0 draw, South Africa triumphed 4-3 on penalties to claim their second
COSAFA Cup title.
2008 COSAFA CUP
The 2008 COSAFA Cup was a tournament of firsts and ended with hosts
South Africa lifting the coveted trophy for the second time in
succession, and third time overall. It was the first time the
tournament had been played as a single event, in one country and over a
period of weeks. There was also a maiden appearance for the Comoros
Islands, who had seen financial troubles scupper their hopes of
appearing in the past.
The field for the event was also therefore extended to 14 teams, the
most who had ever competed in the competition. The semi-finals produced
two more close encounters, with South Africa edging Zambia thanks to a
goal from Lefa Tsutsulupa, while Mozambique were 2-1 winners over
Madagascar.
Tico-Tico and Momed Hagy scored either side of a Praxis Rabemananjara goal for the Malagasy.
The final at the Thulamahashe Stadium was won 2-1 by South Africa,
with Marchelino Fransch getting a brace. Nito scored late on for the
Mambas, but it was to be the home side’s night.
2009 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe claimed a record fourth COSAFA Cup title when they won on home
soil in 2009. The Warriors were worthy winners of the event that was
staged in Harare and Bulawayo over two weeks.
The only member of the COSAFA nations missing from the tournament was Madagascar, who did not enter.
There was a huge semi-final meeting between Zimbabwe and South Africa
that finished 1-1, Lennox Bacela giving Bafana the lead, before Phillip
Marufu equalised for the home side. The match went to penalties and
Zimbabwe held out for a 3-2 success. Zambia beat Mozambique 2-0 in
their semi-final Hichani Himoonde and Felix Sunzu on the scoresheet for
Chipopololo.
The final in Harare was a hard-fought affair, but Zimbabwe eventually
triumphed 3-1 thanks to goals from Nyasha Mushekwi (two) and Cuthbert
Malajila. Henry Banda got a consolation for Zambia.
2013 COSAFA CUP
Zambia emerged as winners of the 2013 COSAFA Cup, a tournament they
hosted, to join Zimbabwe on four victories in the regional
championship. The 13-team field included guest nation Kenya, who filled
in after Comoros Islands and Madagascar chose not to participate. The
format was the same as the 2009 event, with two first round groups, the
winners of which advanced to the quarterfinals.
The semi-finals were also closely fought. Zimbabwe came from an early
goal down to beat Lesotho 2-1. Motlalepula Mofolo had put Lesotho
ahead, but Tendai Ndoro bagged a brace of goals to swing the game in
Zimbabwe’s favour. South Africa and Zambia could not be separated after
120 minutes and went to a penalty shoot-out that was eventually won by
the home side 5-3.
It set up a repeat of the 2009 final, but this time Zambia ran out
winners as Alex N’gonga’s excellent early goal put them on the front
foot and Kabasa Chongo added a second late on to seal the win.
2015 COSAFA CUP
The tournament was staged in South Africa’s North West province and
at long last produced a fifth different winner of the COSAFA Cup as
Namibia claimed a maiden triumph. And they did it the hard way, going
through the first-round pool stages and then the knockout format to play
six games in 14 days.
Namibia edged Madagascar 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal in which Benson
Shilongo had them 2-0 up, before Sarivahy Vombola scored twice in two
minutes to level for the Malagasy. Peter Shalulile grabbed a winner
seven minutes from time.
Mozambique won the other semifinal 2-1 as Isac and Parkim scored for
them against Botswana, for who Omaatla Kebatho netted what proved to be a
consolation. Deon Hotto bagged a brace of goals in the final as
Namibia triumphed 2-0, to set off wild scenes of celebration.
2016 COSAFA CUP
Following their win, the previous year, there was another ‘first’ for
Namibia as they hosted the tournament as champions. South Africa would
join Zambia and Zimbabwe on four wins each as they defeated Botswana
3-2 in the final.
The South Africans hit form in their semi when they defeated in-form
Swaziland 5-1 thanks to goals from Thabiso Kutumela, Lebogang Phiri,
Menzi Masuku (two) and Judas Moseamedi. Veteran Tony Tsabedze scored a
consolation for the Swazis. Botswana booked their place in the final
with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over guest nation DR Congo after their
semi finished 0-0.
South Africa profited from two penalties in the decider, both scored
by Gift Motupa, while Kutumela for their other goal. Onkabetse Makgantai
and Kabelo Seakanyeng netted for Botswana.
2017 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe claimed a record fifth COSAFA Cup title and did it in some
style as well, scoring an impressive 19 goals in their six games on the
way to the championship.
The matches were staged in Phokeng and Moruleng in South Africa’s
North West province, with Zimbabwe starting in the first-round group
stage and powering their way into the final, where they defeated ‘old
enemy’ Zambia 3-1. That includes impressive group stage victories over
Mozambique (4-1) and Seychelles (6-0), in which Ovidy Karuru scored a
hat-trick on his way to a record tournament total of six goals.
After beating Swaziland in the quarterfinals, Zimbabwe edged Lesotho
4-3 in a thrilling semi that will live long in the memory. Zambia had
also shown good form on their way to the final, but were no match for
the rampant Zimbabweans, who netted goals via Knox Mutizwa, Talent
Chawapiwa and Ocean Mushure.
