RIVALRY REIGNITED

Warriors Date Chipopolo Again

This year's semi-final clash comes after the drama of the 2018 final in which,Zimbabwe scored a dramatic last ditch equaliser to take the Cosafa Cup final into extra time and then saw Khama Billiat net twice to retain the southern African championship with a dramatic 4-2 victory over perennial foes Zambia.

Zimbabwe will meet eternal rivals Zambia in the semi-finals of the annual southern African championship at Moses Mabhida Stadium Durban on Wednesday, preceded by a clash between Lesotho and Botswana, who both pulled off upset victories in the last eight.

Botswana came from 2-0 down to eliminate hosts South Africa on post-match penalties on Sunday while Lesotho were winners on Saturday over Uganda, who are guests at the tournament but sent a second string team to participate while their national squad trains in Abu Dhabi for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Zimbabwe, who have won the last two editions of the Cosafa Cup, and have the strongest squad on hand as they prepare for Egypt 2019, had little trouble dispatching Comoros while Zambia came from behind to edge Malawi, also on penalties.

Khama Billat and Evans Rusike scored for Zimbabwe in a comfortable win on Saturday before the news of the death of Chidzambwa's father

The coach will rejoin the team next week, a Zimbabwe Football Association statement said.Zimbabwe's captain Knowledge Musona who started the quarterfinal on the bench might get a look in while Kuda Mahachi,Teenage Hadebe,Marvelous Nakamba and Marshal Munetsi are raising their hands also for selection after joining camp on Sunday. NEXTLEVEL SPORTSTV