Photo Credit: COSAFA Media
Zambia now are the winningest nation in the history of the COSAFA Cup after the Chipolopolo defeated Lesotho 1-0 in Sunday’s final to claim the 2023 edition. A powerful header by Libamba Moyela from a Joshua Mutale corner kick was the difference for Zambia to complete a seventh COSAFA Cup and their second straight after winning the 2022 edition. Lesotho fall just short of their first COSAFA Cup trophy, finishing as runners-up for the second time.
Both teams were careful to not give much away in the final with favorites Zambia looking particularly cautious. Lesotho continued to prove they were fit for the occasion and forward Sera Motebang gave Zambia goalkeeper Francis Mwansa a stern test with a firm header from a free kick service.
Motebang appeared to put Lesotho into the lead early in the second half but was ruled offside after finishing from a cross that fell kindly. Zambia increased their urgency in the final twenty minutes, however, and it was a set piece that handed the Chipolopolo a record seventh COSAFA Cup. Mutale’s corner kick found towering defender Moyela whose header was too powerful for Thabang Malane on the post who could only head the ball into the roof of his own net.
Highlights from the final are below from COSAFA TV.
