FIVE takeaways from Zimbabwe’s Cosafa Cup semi-final against Zambia

Zimbabwe were not able to make it three titles in a row when they lost 4-2 on penalties to Zambia in the Cosafa Cup semi-finals.

Here are our five takeaways from that tie:

1. Chipezeze is ready: Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze was immense throughout the match, saving a regulation time penalty. He also denied the Zambians multiple times with some top quality saves.
2. The defence is solid: Alec Mudimu had Teenage Hadebe next to him and the solid understanding between the two is mustard.
3. Khama Billiat is the creative engine: Zimbabwe laboured to create dangerous final balls in spite of venturing deep into the Zambian half. When Billiat came on for Chawapiwa, his incisive passing and understanding with skipper Knowledge Musona created chances. The team became even more dynamic when Marvelous Nakamba came on.
4. Strikers anonymous: Zimbabwe has a huge reliance on Knowledge Musona for goals and Admiral Muskwe while exciting at times will need time to become the finisher Zimbabwe needs. May be time for Zifa to really push for Macauley Bonne. After all, even Premier League clubs in England are reportedly looking at him.
5. Deep bench: In spite of the loss, Zimbabwe showed that they have a large pool of players to call on and try new combinations after making eight changes to the team that beat Comoros on Sunday. That they were able to keep out Zambia, controlling many parts of the game without regular starters is massive. Could this be the golden generation?

Zimbabwe next play Lesotho in the third and fourth play-offs. And on the same day they play Nigeria in a pre-Afcon friendly

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