Botswana overcame Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 5-4 on penalties in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup semi-final game on Wednesday.
The match ended in a goalless stalemate in regulation time at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on the night in Windhoek.
Botswana’s Zebras will now take on their neighbours South Africa in this year’s COSAFA Castle Cup final on Saturday.
There were no goalscoring opportunities in the opening 15 minutes of the semi-final encounter on a chilly evening in Windhoek.
Guy Lusadisu came close to scoring for the Leopards after receiving the ball in the Zebras box, but he placed his effort wide of the target in the 19th minute.
Zebras forward Thabang Sesinyi should have headed home the opener four minutes later, but he failed to direct his free header forwards the target.
Sesinyi had another free header in the 26th minute and this time the striker headed the ball onto the side-netting from the blind spot.
Eight minutes later, DRC centre forward Doxa Gikanji had his low shot easily saved by Botswana goalkeeper Mwampule Masule.
Zebras winger Kabelo Seakanyeng made a run from the midfield on the stroke of half-time and his low shot was saved by DRC keeper Herve Lomboto.
Sesinyi and Seakanyeng had goalscoring opportunities ten minutes after the restart, but the Botswana duo were unable to break the deadlock.
The Zebras had the ball in the back of the net from Seakanyeng’s free-kick on the hour-mark and the match referee blew his whistle for offside.
DRC head coach Florent Ibenge made the first change of the game in the 66th minute introducing Junior Baometo for Nelson Omba.
Zebras responded by pulling out Seakanyeng for Joel Mogorosi seven minutes later as they looked to break the deadlock on the night.
Leopards midfielder Lusadisu made a late run into the Zebras box and he unleashed a low shot which missed the target in the 71st minute.
The attacking midfielder nearly snatched a late winner for his side in the 90th minute, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Masule.
In the end, the encounter ended in a goalless stalemate in regulation time and the match went straight into a penalty shootout.
Botswana (0) 0
DR Congo (0) 0
(Botswana won 5-4 on penalties)
Botswana XI: Masule, Gadibolae, Gaolaolwe, Kebue, Seakanyeng (Mogorosi 74′), Makgantai (Kebatho 73′), Tshireletso, Mafoko, Sesinyi (Sosome 86′), Disele, Ramoraka.
DR Congo XI: Lomboto, Mutambala, Botuli, Omba (Baometo 66′), Gikanji (Manzoki 73′), Mabidi, Muselenge, Batezadio (Lusala 83′), Ngulubi, Basisila, Litombo.
