Zimbabwe’s national senior women’s football team, the Mighty Warriors, has been eliminated from the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Soccer Championship.
The Mighty Warriors initially led Group D but ultimately finished second, falling behind Mozambique, who qualified for the semi-finals.
Mozambique topped the group with four points after a dramatic late equaliser from Cidalia Cuta in their final game against Lesotho, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Lesotho’s Nthabeleng Potsane scored the opener, briefly putting Zimbabwe at the top of the group on head-to-head results.
Mozambique had a goal disallowed and created multiple chances but failed to score more, while Lesotho’s Moseme Khashane was sent off.
Mozambique, who eliminated Zimbabwe last year, is the only semi-finalist yet to win the championship.
South Africa is the record seven-time winner, while Zambia (2022) and Malawi (2023) each have one title.
Zimbabwe finished the competition with three points, suffering from their opening match loss to Mozambique (0-1).
They rebounded with a 3-0 victory over Lesotho but needed Mozambique to lose their last game to advance.
Hopes for progression were high when Lesotho led 1-0 for much of the second half, but Mozambique’s late equaliser dashed those hopes and secured their progression to the semi-finals.
Sithethelelwe Sibanda was in charge of the Mighty Warriors squad following her appointment in September.
More: Pindula News