Online Reporter
BLOEMFONTEIN. — This year we celebrate the 24th edition of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA CUP with the first competition having been held in 1997.
It has been a stage to launch a galaxy of stars and been a vital component in the rich history of Southern African football down the years.
Here is a trip down memory lane as we look at ALL the six tournaments Zimbabwe won.
2000 COSAFA CUP
The fourth installment of the COSAFA CUP saw Zimbabwe claim a first ever title, one of four they would go on to win to date.
Holders Angola looked to be heading for another final when Fabrice Akwa gave them the lead in their semifinal in Lesotho, but two goals in the final six minutes turn the match around for the hosts.
Motlatsi Maseela and Teele Ntsonyana scored for them.
South Africa were then stunned 1-0 at home by a Kaitano Tembo goal for Zimbabwe and would have to wait another year for their first tournament win.
It set up a two-legged final between the Zimbabweans and Lesotho that was comfortably won by the former.
An Eric Makara own goal and further strikes from William Mugeyi and Luke Petros gave Zimbabwe a 3-0 win in Maseru, before they won by the same margin in Harare in the second game. Luke Petros (penalty), Robson Chisango and Benjani Mwaruwari were on target on this occasion.
2003 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe would claim their second COSAFA CUP title in 2003 with a deserved success in another fine tournament.
A brace from Peter Ndlovu against Swaziland put Zimbabwe into the two-legged decider, which in the end was won comfortably by the Warriors.
They claimed a 2-1 success in the first leg in Blantyre, Albert Mbano and Zvenyika Makonese putting them in command before Mwafulira pulled a late goal back. But the home leg was a 2-0 success in Harare a week later, Charles Yohane and Peter Ndlovu on the scoresheet.
2005 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe defeated Angola in their semifinal 2-1. Love put Angola in the lead, but the Warriors struck back with goals from Francis Chandida and Sageby Sandaka to advance.
South Africa and Zambia played to a thrilling 2-2 draw before Chipolopolo advanced 9-8 in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
Zimbabwe claimed their third COSAFA CUP title in the final though, with a Chandida goal late on handing them a 1-0 victory over the Zambians.
2009 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe claimed a record fourth COSAFA CUP title when they won on home soil in 2009. The Warriors were worthy winners of the event that was staged in Harare and Bulawayo over two weeks.
The only member of the COSAFA nations missing from the tournament was Madagascar, who did not enter.
There was a huge semifinal meeting between Zimbabwe and South Africa that finished 1-1, Lennox Bacela giving Bafana the lead, before Phillip Marufu equalised for the home side. The match went to penalties and Zimbabwe held out for a 3-2 success.
The final in Harare was a hard-fought affair, but Zimbabwe eventually triumphed 3-1 thanks to goals from Nyasha Mushekwi (two) and Cuthbert Malajila. Henry Banda got a consolation for Zambia.
2017 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe claimed their first COSAFA Cup title in eight years as they romped to the title in Rustenburg in the South African province of the North West.
They defeated old foes Zambia in the final to move to a record five tournament wins, the 3-1 scoreline a reflection of their dominance that had been there throughput the competition.
It was a tournament in which a number of their players shone, not least Ovidy Karuru (six), Knox Mutizwa (five) and Ocean Mashure (four), who were the top three goalscorers that year.
The Warriors put six goals past Seychelles, and four each past Mozambique and Lesotho in a stunning display.
2018 COSAFA CUP
Zimbabwe extended their record number of victories in the COSAFA CUP to six as they again beat Zambia in the decider of the 2018 tournament in Limpopo, South Africa.
The final, arguably the best ever in the competition, had been locked at 2-2 after a see-saw battle in the 90 minutes, before Zimbabwe eventually triumphed 4-2.
Lazarous Kambole scored a brace for Zambia, while there were also two goals each for the Zimbabwe duo of Khama Billiat and Tino Kadawere. — COSAFA
