Zimbabwe’s senior women’s national football team, the Mighty Warriors, are set to return to the regional stage following the announcement of the 2026 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship draw.
The tournament, which will run from February 18 to March 1, 2026, sees Zimbabwe placed in a challenging Group B alongside defending champions Zambia.
Head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda has already named a provisional squad dominated by talent from local league giants Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos Queens. The team is looking to redeem itself after a difficult 2024 campaign where they exited in the group stages. This year, they face a familiar foe in Zambia, who claimed the title last year after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over South Africa.
The Mighty Warriors enter the competition with a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh faces. The provisional squad includes experienced striker Rutendo Makore and reliable goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga, both of whom are expected to lead the team's quest for their second regional crown. Zimbabwe last lifted the COSAFA trophy in 2011 and remains one of only five nations to ever win the competition.
Beyond the quest for the regional trophy, the tournament serves as a high-stakes preparation platform. While Zimbabwe is not part of the upcoming WAFCON finals in Morocco, the team is using this window to build a squad capable of competing for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
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The path to the knockout stages will not be easy. Zimbabwe must top a group that features some of the region's most improved sides:
Zambia,the "Copper Queens" are the current defending champions and are favorites to progress.
Botswana,a team that has consistently troubled the Mighty Warriors in recent years with their disciplined defense.
Eswatinio,ften the underdogs, but capable of causing an upset if underestimated.
According to the tournament rules, only the top team from each of the three groups will automatically qualify for the semi-finals, joined by the best overall runner-up. With Group C consisting of only three teams, Zimbabwe’s results against the bottom-placed team in Group B will be disregarded when calculating the "best runner-up" spot.
Fans across Zimbabwe will be able to cheer on the Mighty Warriors from home, as all matches will be broadcast live on FIFA+ and the COSAFA YouTube channel.
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