Football: Cosafa Castle Cup-The Pirates lose to Zambia |25 July 2006

The match was played inside the new Sam Nujoma stadium in Katatura, on the outskirts of the Namibian capital city Windhoek.

Zambia took the lead in the 33rd minute through James Chamanga who tapped in a square pass from Dube Phiri. They sealed the win a minute from the break when Ignatius Lwipa latched onto a pass from deep in defence and lobbed the advancing Seychelles goalkeeper Nelson Sopha.

It must be noted that The Pirates of Seychelles had secured a 4-2 win on a penalty shoot-out against hosts Namibia last Saturday after the score had remained tied at 1-1 after normal time to book their place in Sunday’s final.

Godfrey Denis, captain Denis Barbé, Denis Belle and Roderick Rose netted their penalties in the shoot-out while Yelvanny Rose skied his.

Goalkeeper Sopha came up big for The Pirates, stopping their second penalty and was later voted man-of-the match to win a trophy and 2,000 rands.

Wilnes Brutus gave Seychelles an 11th minute lead against Namibia with a beautiful strike but Costa Khaiseb equalised for the Brave Warriors seven minutes later.

The loss to Zambia has stopped The Pirates’ three-game winning streak extending to back to June 28 in the Tri-Nation competition organised here as part of activities to celebrate the country’s 30th anniversary of Independence.

Two-time winners of the annual southern African championship, Zambia will now host group B Botswana in the semifinal next month while defending champions Zimbabwe will play World Cup finalists and group A winners Angola in Harare in September.

In the group C third place play-off match on Sunday, hosts Namibia came from behind to beat Malawi 3-2.

Moses Chavuba opened the score in the 19th minute to put Malawi in front but Heinrich Isaaks equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Rudi Bester scored a minute after the break to give Namibia the lead and Henrico Botes netted his penalty kick after Malawi’s Maupo Msowoya had handled on the goal-line. The Malawi defender was sent off for the offence.
A free kick from Malawi’s James Chilapondwa reduced the arrears in the last five minutes.

G. G.