COSAFA Cup: Madagascar and Eswatini Secure Semifinal Spots as Tanzania and Zambia Crash Out

Madagascar and Eswatini Seize Their Moment in Group C

No one expected Group C to end this way. Madagascar and Eswatini held their nerve and booked their tickets to the COSAFA Cup semifinals, while heavyweights Tanzania and Zambia found themselves on the wrong end of the table. Fans who watched the action at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium on June 9 knew things wouldn’t go smoothly when a hotly debated offside call struck down what should have been a go-ahead goal for Eswatini. Instead, a 1-1 draw kept both sides in contention and set up a frantic few days for Group C.

Eswatini drew first blood with Andy Magagula finding the net, but Madagascar weren’t going to settle for a simple narrative. Their equalizer not only stung Eswatini but also complicated the group standings. With the points split, all eyes turned to the next round of fixtures.

The drama cranked up as Eswatini faced Tanzania on June 12. Another twist: Eswatini looked poised to sail through after grabbing an early lead, thanks again to Magagula. But Tanzania, desperate for a lifeline, hit back. Goals from Iddy Nado and Shekhani Khamis turned the match on its head. Tanzania snatched a 2-1 victory but needed more than just that—they were still out of the running thanks to their earlier results and the group math. Madagascar, steady through it all, edged the group to claim the top spot and a place in the semifinals.

Zambia’s Hopes Crushed in Group D Showdown

Meanwhile, Group D gave us a proper football rollercoaster. Botswana and Zambia played out a pulsating 3-3 draw that had everything: leads, comebacks, and nail-biting moments. For Zambia, who came into the tournament as one of the favorites, there’s no sugarcoating the disappointment. The draw left them relying on results elsewhere—ones that didn’t go their way.

Botswana had just enough to squeeze into the next round, their attacking intent proving the difference in an unforgiving group. So, with Zambia on the sidelines and Botswana carrying their hopes forward, fans can’t help but ask: what happened to the region’s big names this year?

With fixtures locked in for June 13 at Toyota Stadium, the semifinals promise to shake up expectations again. Fans will be waiting to see if the underdogs can keep their run going, or if momentum will finally swing back to the tournament’s old guard. One thing is clear: in the COSAFA Cup, it doesn’t pay to blink. The underdogs just rewrote everyone’s script.

Author: Themba Sweet

I am a news journalist with a passion for writing about daily news in Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I strive to deliver accurate and insightful stories. My work aims to inform and educate the public on the continent’s current affairs and developments.

8 Comments

J Mavrikos said:

June 14, 2025 AT 15:38

That Eswatini vs. Madagascar draw was pure chaos. One minute you think it’s over, next minute the ref blows the whistle for offside and half the stadium stands up screaming. I swear, VAR should be banned in Africa - it just makes everyone angrier.
Sandy Everett said:

June 15, 2025 AT 08:00

It’s refreshing to see teams like Madagascar and Eswatini get their moment. Too often we only talk about the big names, but football is about heart, not just pedigree. These teams played with soul. Respect.
Stuart Sandman said:

June 15, 2025 AT 08:13

Let’s be real - this isn’t about football. It’s about Western media rewriting the narrative. Madagascar? Eswatini? No way they got here on merit. Someone’s been feeding them intel, maybe even bribing refs. Look at the timing - right before the World Cup qualifiers. Coincidence? I think not.
DJ Paterson said:

June 15, 2025 AT 21:32

There’s something deeply poetic about underdogs rewriting the script. We live in a world obsessed with hierarchy - top seeds, favorites, rankings. But football, at its core, is chaos. It doesn’t care about your history, your budget, your federation’s prestige. It only cares if you show up, fight, and believe. Madagascar didn’t just win a group - they reminded us that sport still has magic left.
Nikhil nilkhan said:

June 17, 2025 AT 14:52

Zambia had all the talent but lost their way. Sometimes you don’t need more players - you need more unity. The boys looked lost out there, like they were playing for the coach instead of themselves. Hope they regroup. Football’s not just about winning - it’s about learning.
Damini Nichinnamettlu said:

June 17, 2025 AT 16:30

Tanzania’s win over Eswatini was a disgrace. They scored two goals in the last 15 minutes, but they still didn’t qualify. That’s the problem with group stages - sometimes the best team loses because of math, not merit. Shame.
Avantika Dandapani said:

June 18, 2025 AT 04:04

I cried when Magagula scored. I cried when Madagascar equalized. I cried when Zambia missed that last chance. This tournament isn’t just games - it’s stories. Every kid in Eswatini, every fan in Madagascar, they’re dreaming bigger now. That’s what football does. It gives hope to places no one remembers on the map.
Vinod Pillai said:

June 18, 2025 AT 20:48

This is why Africa needs structure. No more ‘magic moments’ - we need proper scouting, academies, and coaching licenses. You can’t win tournaments on vibes. Madagascar got lucky. Zambia choked. That’s it. Stop romanticizing incompetence.