Zambia advance at Botswana tourney

Chipolopolo assistant coach Oswald Mutapa has hailed the local Zambia squad for advancing to the final of the Mukuru Four Nations Championship in Francistown, Botswana.‎‎Zambia on Saturday edged Malawi 9-8 on penalties following a goalless stalemate at Obed Chilume Stadium.‎‎Prior to the penalties, Zambia had Eliya Mandanji’s 84th minute goal ruled out for alleged offside.‎‎In a post-match comment, Mutapa said his players showed character beyond regulation time.‎‎”I think the boys showed a lot of character in the way we played.

Yes we didn’t start very well but as the game went by we were able to be composed,” he told FAZ media in Botswana.‎‎”Even during penalties the boys showed the mentality, we didn’t train for penalties but you could see that they were strong in their mind,” Mutapa said.‎‎The Mukuru Four Nations Championship final is set to be played on Tuesday.‎‎”We are happy that we will play the final,” Mutupa added.‎‎Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa applauded the tournament.‎‎“These are the kind of competitions we have been crying for in Southern Africa. Other regions like West and North Africa have such tournaments, and they help in assessing teams,” Pasuwa said.