Zambia will not defend the Cosafa Cup after they drew 0-0 with hosts South Africa on Wednesday afternoon to exit the competition underway in Port Elizabeth.
Half-time of the Group game between Bafana Bafana and Chipolopolo ended goalless at Isaac Wolfson Stadium.
In the second half, the state of affairs did not change in this must-win game for Zambia.
In the end, Zambia bowed out with four points from four games whereas already qualified South Africa remain top on 10 points.
Chipolopolo lost their two opening matches in the group before resurrecting their campaign with a 2-1 win over Botswana on Tuesday.
South Africa were joined in the last-four stage by Eswatini who drew 1-1 with Botswana to finish on seven points.
Thayaone Kgamanyane scored in the 65th minute the equalizer for Botswana to cancel out Sabelo Ndzinisa’s 20th minute opener for Eswatini.
Botswana finished on four points with bottom-placed Lesotho on three as they both followed Zambia in exiting the tournament.
Group A RESULTS
Eswatini 1 Botswana 1
South Africa 0 Zambia 0
Log table
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Eswatini | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Botswana | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Zambia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
| Lesotho | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 3 |