•ZAMBIA striker, Jackson Mwanza (left) leaps to avoid a tackle from Lucky Malata of Malawi during the 2015 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup Plate final match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa yesterday. Malawi won 1-0. Picture by MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGE PIX

From MOSES CHIMFWEMBE In Rustenburg,SA –
Zambia   0    Malawi  1
A DEFENSIVE howler by Chipolopolo goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene saw Malawi claim the 2015 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup Plate title as the outgoing champions bowed out in an embarrassing fashion.
However, it was a sweet revenge for the Flames of Malawi, who earlier this month lost 2-0 to Zambia in an international friendly match in Lusaka.
Yesterday’s shock result at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace left a sour taste in coach Honour Janza’s mouth who said Zambia got punished for the mistake made.
Janza said Zambia could not  win the COSAFA Plate because the players could not put away their chances.
“The game of football is about scoring. We gave it away because we can’t score. We made a mistake and got punished,” he said in a post-match interview while consoling Mweene for his blooper.
Malawi coach, Young Chimodzi said the Flames capitalised on Zambia’s mistakes to win the Plate.
The decisive moment of this match came on 59 minutes after Mweene miscued the ball which hit an advancing Zicco Mkanda and rolled into an unguarded net.
Mweene had failed to properly deal with a Christopher Munthali back pass.
This Plate final match also saw both teams finish a man down.
Malawi skipper, Lucky Malata was first to get the marching orders in the 65th minute from Zimbabwean referee, Norman Matemera for a second booking before Donashano Malama was sent to the stands nine minutes later.
Chipolopolo, who thumped Ghana 3-0 in the Plate semi-final, could not break the Malawians.
The first half saw few chances from both teams as Malawi dominated play.
Mciam Mhone would have grabbed the lead for the Flames but alert Kennedy Mweene pulled off a full stretch to keep Zambia in the game.
Zambia’s first shot on goal came through Jackson Mwanza who headed wide off a Allan Mukuka delivery on the left flank.
Janza replaced Mukuka Mulenga, who suffered several fouls with Kennedy Mudenda as the game into break goalless.
Zambia, the four-time COSAFA Cup champions, finished sixth at the regional football showpiece.