Swaziland shock Zambia in Cosafa

Swaziland continues the Cosafa tradition of shocks

Swaziland 0-0 Zambia (2-1 on pens)

Swaziland have upset the form book in the Cosafa Cup by executing a giant-killing act when they beat twice winners Zambia 2-1 in first game of this year's competition.

The Swazi victory came in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the two sides had failed to score in the 90 minutes of play at the Somhlolo Stadium in Ezulweni, some 25kms from Mbabane.

The Swazi goalkeeper Linoh Magagula proved to be the hero of the day with four saves in the shoot-out, as Zambia managed to convert just one of their five penalty kicks.

Swaziland scored two out of four to ensure their place in the quarter finals of the Southern African championships.

Packed midfield

The game - in front of a crowd of about 20,000 spectators - was not a very attractive, flowing one as Swaziland frustrated Zambia by packing the midfield during the entire 90 minutes.

Zambia's Gift Kampamba had his goal-bound shot cleared off the goal line

Zambia did have their chance to win the game during normal time but failed to turn those chances into goals.

Elijah Tana had a free header from a corner kick just before half-time, but his attempt sent the ball straight into the hands of the Swazi goalkeeper.

And in the second half, there was a miraculous clearance on the line by Swazi defender Mlungisi Ngubane after Zambia's Gift Kampamba hit a splendid long-range shot.

All in all, the drama and the passion took the Swazis through to another famous victory.

They also had a few half chances on the counter attack where Israeli-based winger John Mdluli proved a tireless runner, and they are now into the last eight.

The competition, now in its fifth year, has quickly become an annual series of surprise results, which has shaken the traditional balance of power in the region.

Last year the tiny kingdom of Lesotho reached the two-legged final while Namibia - with a population of just over one million - have twice beaten the odds to finish as runners-up.

Swaziland have also played their part in the giant-killing in the past - only eliminated in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-finals of the 1999 tournament.

They have high hopes of repeating that feat this year.

Fixtures

The competition is a knockout tournament with 11 countries taking part this year.

There are four first-round matches with the winners of each going through to the quarter-finals to join Angola, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, whose performances last year won them byes this time around.

A further quarter-final berth is reserved for a 'lucky loser' from the first round - determined by the lowest margin of defeat.

The final of the competition will be played over two legs in September.

First round
Botswana v Malawi (in Gaborone, March 18)
Mauritius v Namibia (Belle Vue, April 8)
Mozambique v S Africa (in Maputo, April 29)

Previous Cosafa Castle Cup winners
1997 - Zambia 1998 - Zambia 1999 - Angola 2000 - Zimbabwe