Defending champions Zambia will be unable to complete a hat-trick of COSAFA Cup championships after being defeated 2-0 by old rivals Zimbabwe at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Sunday, preventing them from reaching the semifinals.

It is only the second occasion in COSAFA Cup history that the record seven-time winners have lost two consecutive matches.

They’ve never lost three straight. Michael Tapera scored his second goal in as many games to put Zimbabwe ahead after only eight minutes, but Zambia’s task was made more difficult when Kiliam Kanguluma received a second yellow card at 33 minutes.

Read Also:Cosafa Cup: Comoros Stun Kenya To Record First Win

Zimbabwe tightened their hold on the game with a second goal, a header from Takunda Benhura soon before halftime.

Zambia lost their first game by the same score to Kenya in their group opener.