Botswana shocks Tanzania to reach COPA semis

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Wednesday June 9, 2010 00:00

 

It was, however, young goalkeeper Bobby Mathe who made the difference through an outstanding performance between the posts.

Botswana players erupted into celebration at the final whistle as they booked their place in the semis where they will face Zambia. It was sweet victory for the Young Zebras who sneaked to the quarters ahead of Kenya on goal difference despite losing to the East Africans 3-2 in their last group match at Gemstone Stadium. In the second quarterfinal, Zambia maintained their inspiring form crushing Malawi 8-0 with Lupambo Musonda, Emmanuel Mwaba and Emmanuel Phiri each grabbing braces. Uganda needed post-match penalties to eliminate champions Nigeria with goalkeeper Ivan Mutumba as the hero. He saved two penalties after the game ended 1-1 in normal time. Uganda scored twice from the spot while Nigeria converted once in the low scoring shootout.

Against Botswana, Tanzania had set out for another routine routing having beaten all and sundry in Group A and drawing 2-2 with South Africa.

But they were to meet their Waterloo at the hands of a combative Botswana, who may have learnt a lesson or two from the last edition where they were the whipping boys. Tanzania scored 32 goals in the group stages but could not find their way past the Botswana defence. They had a fat goal difference of 29 while Botswana had minus two.

They were never to be denied by an enterprising Tanzania who had Thomas Emmanuel and Himid Mao Mkami in commanding form. COPA Coca-Cola originated in Mexico in 1998.

COPA Coca-Cola works in partnership with government and/or football federations to make the tournament one of the leading events in a country's soccer calendar.

COPA Coca-Cola is also held in USA, Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Chile. In Africa, COPA Coca-Cola will be held in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Angola, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.