Mighty Warriors fall

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Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda believes she has a firm ground to build on a formidable team despite her side failing to achieve a podium finish at the 2025 COSAFA Cup tournament.

Zimbabwe concluded their regional tournament campaign with a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat to Zambia in the third and fourth placement match yesterday at New Peter Mokaba.

The lukewarm affair had Zimbabwe and Zambia clashing for the second time in a week after they met in the group stages of the tournament where they played to a goalless draw.

Zimbabwe had left many charmed when they held Zambia with many optimistic that they could be this edition’s surprise package.

However, a painful elimination from the top race by South Africa might have thrown Sibanda’s side off the rail.

The Mighty Warriors lost 4-2 to Banyana Banyana on penalties in the semi-finals following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The result forced them to once again meet Zambia in a bronze medal clash after they (the Zambians) lost 1-0 Namibia as the latter booked a spot in the finals. Getting into yesterday’s match, Zimbabwe were outpaced from the onset with Zambia dominating play since the first whistle. The Mighty Warriors concede an early goal in the second minute before two other goals also came in the opening stanza.

Veteran striker Rutendo Makore was to find a reply for the Zimbabwe in the 44th minute when she flicked a Privilege Mupeti assist from inside the box just before the half-time break.

The goal took her tally to three, and into the top goalscorer of the tournament contention.

Returning from the break, Sibanda introduced changes to her side, bringing in youngsters Anita Ncube and Melinda Mapasure to complement Nokukhanya Ndlovu and Mcgirl Sipini.

She also substituted experienced goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga for relative greenhorn Vanessa Lunga, providing a clear picture for her rebuilding exercise.

The changes were enough to bring some grit to the Mighty Warriors’ side, as they now appeared composed, with a fighting spirit and intent.

Mupeti and captain of the day Christabel Katona controlled the game, but despite some consistent feed upfront, Zimbabwe failed to convert.

However, despite failing to achieve a podium finish, Sibanda drew a lot of positives from the tournament.

“Generally I am impressed with the youngsters, and how they performed in all the games that I gave them game time, they surpassed expectations,” she said.

“I saw a lot of potential, and I know that with more exposure, if we keep the team intact they can go far . . .

“We had three or four youngsters in the Zambian and the South African games, and staging such a show shows that they can be very competitive.”

Sibanda is in the process of building a team that will be mandated to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by 2029 and the Olympics in four years.

The gaffer had to use this COSAFA Cup to resume the exercise, handing the new players their first test.

Meanwhile, Namibia won this edition of the COSAFA Cup following a 2-1 victory in extra time over South Africa. Zimbabwean Rutendo Makore was crowned the Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament after scoring three goals in the showcase.