Champions Zambia got the defence of their Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup off to a losing start

Champions Zambia got the defence of their HOLLYWOODSBETS COSAFA Cup 2024
title off to a losing start after they were beaten 2-0 by East African guest nation
Kenya at the Neldon Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday.

The match followed a 1-0 win for Zimbabwe in their Group B opener against
Comoros and leaves record seven-time winners Zambia on the back foot already as
they seek an unprecedented third title win in a row.

Only the top team in each of the three pools and the best placed runner-up advance
to the semifinals this year, meaning it is all to play for and any slip-ups put teams on
the back foot.

Kenya took the lead when Austine Odhiambo kept his cool from the penalty-spot to
slot the ball home after eight minutes. One became two soon afterwards as hesitant defending at the back post allowed Patrick Otieno to steal in and score as he poked the ball past Zambia goalkeeper
Charles Kalumba.

The second half saw Zambia dominate possession, but they were not able to create
enough in front of goal to claw their way back into the game.

Zimbabwe picked up a victory on their return to the COSAFA Cup for the first time
since 2021 as they edged Comoros 1-0 following a winning goal in the second half
from Michael Tapera.

It was a hard-fought contest in which both teams had further chances, but the
Warriors managed to hold on in the end for what will be a huge boost in morale.