Comoros have confirmed their place in the Cosafa Cup semi-final after a deserved 1-0 win against holders Zambia on Tuesday afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Islanders had started their Group B campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss against Zimbabwe before pulling a shock 2-0 win over Kenya's Emerging Stars.
Chipolopolo had no chance of advancing after losing their initial two games, meaning their final game was a mere formality. The former champions had lost 2-0 against Kenya before falling by the same margin against The Warriors.
On Tuesday, both teams gave a good account of themselves in front of a sizable crowd that had gathered to cheer the players.
After a goalless draw in the first half, Comoros got the only goal of the match in the 60th minute. Omar Abdoul Aziz setup Ibroihim Youssouf who expertly took his chance to give his nation a vital win that guaranteed them a top spot in the pool and a chance in the last four.
Kenya get vital win, but…
At the Wolfson Stadium, the Emerging Stars beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in another Group B match that was played simultaneously.
Just like the Southern Africa nation, the Ken Odhiambo-led team needed a win to retain their slim chances of advancing.
Neither team managed to hit the back of the net within the first 45 but it changed 10 minutes after the pause.
Gor Mahia duo Rooney Onyango and Austine Odhiambo combined well with the latter controlling the ball well in the 12-yard area before guiding the ball home.
A long ball from goalkeeper Byrne Odhiambo in the 73rd minute reached Harambee Stars international Benson Omalla whose one-time strike caught Zimbabwe's keeper by surprise, doubling the advantage in the process.
Kenya will now have to wait for Group C games on Wednesday to know their fate. Both Angola and Namibia have four points and will be playing Seychelles and Lesotho respectively.
The Emerging Stars will make it to the next phase by finishing as best losers in all three groups meaning, they will be relying on Seychelles and Lesotho to get something from their opponents.
