By Mark Gleeson BBC Sport, Blantyre

Goal-scorer Mwafulirwa shields the ball

Malawi reached the Cosafa Cup final for the second successive year after edging out Zambia on penalties in their semi-final in Blantyre on Saturday.

Zambia scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser to force the game into a penalty shootout but then missed two penalties to give Malawi victory.

Malawi had the brigther start, controlling the midfield in the first half.

They eventually profited with a 35th-minute goal through Russell Mwafulirwa after he had used his strength to burst through two Zambian defenders.

In the second half, Zambia launched wave after wave of attack to keep Malawi on the back foot and it took only a Herculain effort from centre back Patrick Mabedi to keep them out.

But even he could do nothing about a rasping shot from Sashi Chalwe which saw Zambia equalise in the 89th minute.

But Chalwe then turned from hero to villain when he was one of two players to miss their kicks in the shootout.

Malawi now meet neighbours Zimbabwe or Swaziland in the final over two legs in September and October.

Zimbabwe host Swaziland in Bulawayo on 31 August in the second semi-final.

Last year, Malawi also reached the final but were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by South Africa.