Of 2017 Cosafa and Confederations Cup

(2017 Confed Champs; Photo by Getty images)

The Cosafa hosts and holders, South Africa, lost the quarter-final 1-0 to tournament invitees, Tanzania. Our previous assertion that the losers of the quarter-finals do go home in the last article was wrong. They play in the other less prestigious semi-final for the Plate.

Stuart Baxter's Bafana Bafana pathetically tried to play football for 90 + minutes without success. With less pressure in playing for a plate, they may rise. Zimbabwe were in no charitable mood, dispatching Swaziland 2-1.

In the Russia Confederations Cup, Portugal had to stretch every sinew to beat a determined Mexican side 2-1 for the bronze. Mexico led 1-0 until about the last kick of the regulation time. Pepe equalised and sent the match to extra time.

The momentum was with the Europeans and the South Americans suffered a sucker punch through a well converted penalty.

Germany reigned supreme, beating Chile by an odd goal. The Fifa World Cup champions played second fiddle for the best part of the match. They capitalised on the silliest mistake any school team can make.

A sequence of casual back passes led to the simple dispossession of the defender, square pass and a simple tap in. The South Americans through every kitchen sink at Germany without success.

Germany won the Confederations Cup for the first time, not without a sweat.