By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors opened their COSAFA Women’s Championship campaign in impressive fashion with a composed 2-0 victory over Eswatini at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Thursday.
Goals from Praynence Zvawanda and veteran forward Rutendo Makore ensured Zimbabwe collected maximum points in their Group B opener, laying down an early marker in the regional competition.
Makore, who won the Golden Boot at the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2017 after scoring 10 goals, once again underlined her importance to the side with a clinical finish to help seal the result.
The Mighty Warriors’ controlled display sees them sit second in Group B on goal difference, level on points with defending champions Zambia women’s national football team.
Eswatini, meanwhile, endured a difficult afternoon. They are third in the group and still without points, alongside Botswana who prop up the standings.
Their task became even harder after Ncedo Gamedze received the tournament’s first red card in the earlier fixture, leaving Eswatini with work to do as the group phase intensifies.
In the other Group B encounter, Zambia began the defence of their COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025 crown with a dominant 3-0 win over Botswana women’s national football team.
Regina Chanda handed the Copper Queens an early lead inside the opening 15 minutes, setting the tone for a one-sided contest. Zambia controlled possession and territory, doubling their advantage just before half-time through a superb long-range strike from Susan Banda.
Captain Kabange Mupopo added the third in the second half to cap a commanding performance, while Eneless Phiri came close to extending the lead further when she struck the crossbar from a set-piece.
The result sends Zambia to the top of Group B on three points, narrowly ahead of Zimbabwe on goal difference, setting up an intriguing battle for supremacy as the championship gathers momentum.