Zambia’s title defense ends with Zimbabwe’s 2-0 victory in COSAFA Cup

Defending champions Zambia will not retain their COSAFA Cup crown.

Chipolopolo would have made history by winning a hat-trick of titles had they scooped this year’s edition.

However, neighbours Zimbabwe ensured the Copper Bullets were stopped from winning the cup for the third successive time by inflicting a 2-0 defeat at Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Sunday.

This result effectively ends any chance of Zambia winning the cup as they cannot make the semifinals.

It marks only the second time in history that Zambia has lost two games in a row in the competition.

Michael Tapera was on the score sheet for the second game running, giving Zimbabwe the lead after only eight minutes.

The situation worsened for Zambia when Kiliam Kanguluma received a second yellow card in the 33rd minute.

Zimbabwe added a second goal through a header from Takunda Benhura just before halftime.

Meanwhile, Comoros beat Kenya 2-0, who themselves had beaten Zambia in their first game.

Zimbabwe leads Group B with six points, followed by Comoros and Kenya with three each.

However, no team has secured a spot in the semifinals yet.

With Kenya set to play Zimbabwe in their final game on Tuesday and Comoros up against Zambia, three teams could finish on six points in the pool.

The Chipolopolo, however, are totally out of contention.

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