The Plate competition is a new innovation at this year’s tournament, allowing those unlucky losers in the Last 8 the chance to play more matches and not leave Zambia empty-handed.
Both matches will be played at the Arthur Davies Stadium, and each should provide rich entertainment for the supporters who have flocked to watch the regional showpiece so far.
Malawi will tackle Angola in the first Plate semi-final (kick-off 15h00); while Mozambique are up against Namibia (kick-off 17h00).
The Malawians lost to Zimbabwe via a penalty shoot-out in a close quarterfinal on Saturday, while Angola was ousted by Lesotho a day later.
Matches between the Flames and Palancas Negras have been tight affairs down the years, with Angola edging the head-to-head three to two from the six matches played.
Their last meeting was in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations that Angola hosted, when they beat Malawi 2-0 in the first round group stage.
Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet, who was only recently appointed on a short-term contract to get the side to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, said he was proud of the performance against Zimbabwe and believed his team deserved more.
He will be hoping now for a morale-boosting display against a young but talented Angola side that showed glimpses of their potential in the penalties defeat to Lesotho.
“It was a good experience and the plate semi-finals will be a good motivation for my side. I am hoping they will refocus and win the game,” he said.
Namibia boss Ricardo Mannetti felt a lack of experience hurt his side in their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to South Africa, but again was pleased with the battling qualities shown by the team.
Mozambique was on the wrong side of a 3-1 loss to hosts Zambia in their quarterfinal, and also now faces a difficult task against a Namibian side they have beaten just once in the eight previous meetings between the sides.
Post published in: Football