Weary Tanzania, Zimbabwe reach Cosafa semis

PHOKENG, South Africa: Tanzania and Zimbabwe shook off the weariness of playing four times within a week to reach the Cosafa Cup southern Africa championship semi-finals Sunday.
An early goal from Elias Maguri gave Tanzania a 1-0 victory over title-holders and hosts South Africa in the first half of a quarter-finals double-header in northwest township Phokeng.
A Knox Mutizwa header in the closing stages took four-time champions Zimbabwe through as they edged Swaziland 2-1 at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in a thriller.
Tanzania play Zambia and Lesotho face Zimbabwe in the semi-finals this Wednesday at nearby Moruleng Stadium in the South African platinum mining belt.
Zambia beat Botswana 2-1 and Lesotho won 5-4 on penalties against Namibia after a 0-0 draw in the Saturday quarter-finals.
Zimbabwe and Zambia have won the Cosafa Cup four times while Lesotho and "guests" Tanzania are seeking a maiden success in the annual tournament.
Tanzania are part of the east African Cecafa region, but received an invite when Cosafa members Comoros declined to compete.
The eliminations of South Africa and Swaziland mean none of the 2016 semi-finalists have reached that stage this year.
A brilliant pass from midfield set up Oman-based Maguri to beat South Africa goalkeeper Boalefa Pule at his near post on 18 minutes.
South Africa started with eight new caps as recently appointed England-born coach Stuart Baxter experimented in the absence of unavailable first choices.
Zimbabwean Ovidy Karuru raised his goal tally to six from four matches by volleying a cross into the net in the 16th minute.
Another cross led to Swaziland levelling on 48 minutes as Felix Badenhorst, the 2016 Cosafa Cup leading scorer, nodded past George Chigova.
Substitute Mutizwa connected with a corner at the near post after 77 minutes and his header flew into the net to give the "Warriors" victory. — AFP