Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe women’s national team, the Mighty Warriors, are gearing up for a stern test at the upcoming Confederation of Southern African Football Association Championship after being drawn into a tricky Group B that includes defending champions Zambia, Botswana, and Eswatini.
The 13th edition of the regional tournament will be staged in Polokwane, South Africa, from 18 February to 1 March, bringing together some of Southern Africa’s finest women’s footballing nations.
Head coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda acknowledged the difficulty of the group, but struck a confident tone about her team’s prospects.
“We were drawn in a somewhat tricky group, but we will find a way to qualify for the next stage of the competition. Zambia has always been a difficult opponent, and we will have to be at our best to get past them. In my view, our other two opponents, Botswana and Eswatini, will not pose many problems as we have beaten them countless times before,” she said.
Sibanda said preparations are progressing smoothly and she is confident the mix of experience and youthful energy will give the Mighty Warriors the balance they need to compete effectively.
“The players are bonding well, complementing each other, and showing the hunger to succeed,” she added.
Host nation South Africa, who headline Group A alongside Angola, Lesotho, and 2023 champions Malawi, remain the championship’s dominant force with a record seven titles.
Zimbabwe’s main obstacle in Group B, Zambia, has lifted the trophy twice, including last year’s edition, cementing its status as a rising powerhouse in women’s football.
Group C, featuring Madagascar, Namibia, and Mozambique, may appear less daunting on paper, but the unpredictability of the tournament means no team can be underestimated.
New Ziana
