By Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport, Lusaka

Zambia's Kalusha Bwalya (centre) is congratulated by two team-mates

Kalusha Bwalya made a fairytale return to playing football as he scored Zambia's third goal in their 3-1 win over Mauritius in the Cosafa Cup on Saturday.

The win booked Zambia a semi-final spot against Zimbabwe in the annual event for teams from southern Africa.

35,000 fans in Lusaka's Independence Stadium cheered Bwalya's every touch as he come on as a substitute in the 57th minute.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year made an immediate impact as he had two good chances within minutes of coming on.

Bwalya gave the crowd something to really cheer about in the 68th minute when the 41-year-old beat the offside trap to pick up the ball and chip over the goalkeeper to score.

Bwalya, who is also the Zambian technical director, was making his 99th appearance for the Chipolopolo and the goal was his 49th for his country.

Earlier, Jacob Mulenga opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he controlled a cross from Clive Hachilensa and then spectacularly volleyed home.

Then ten minutes after the break, Dudley Fichite beat several defenders and set up Numba Mumamba who fired home to doubled Zambia's advantage.

Kersley Appou scored the consolation goal for Mauritius just two minutes after Bwalya's goal.

After the game, Bwalya said that age is not important.

"Age is just a number - what really counts in football is experience," he said.

Bwalya also hinted that he would try to earn his 100th cap in the future.

"I probably won't play another fully competitive match but I may well appear in one or two friendlies," he said after the match.

"But making a full comeback is definitely out of question," he added.

"What I want is the Zambian players to be able to look up to people like me and that is why I always preach good discipline."

Angola will take on Mozambique in the other semi-final.