Zimbabwe women's national football team

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Zimbabwe national football team.
Zimbabwe
Nickname(s)Mighty Warriors
AssociationZimbabwe Football Association (ZFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachSithethelelwe Sibanda
CaptainNobukhosi Ncube
FIFA codeZIM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 129 1 (12 June 2025)[1]
Highest82 (December 2013)
Lowest128 (August 2022)
First international
  4–0 Lesotho 
(Harare, Zimbabwe; 30 July 2000)
Biggest win
  15–0 Lesotho 
(Harare, Zimbabwe; 19 April 2002)
Biggest defeat
 Nigeria 6–0  
(Johannesburg, South Africa; 21 November 2000)
African Women's Championship
Appearances4 (first in 1991)
Best result4th (2000)
Summer Olympics
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best result12th (2016)

The Zimbabwe women's national football team represents Zimbabwe in international football. It is controlled by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZFA), the governing body for football in Zimbabwe.

The team represented Zimbabwe at the 2016 Summer Olympics, making it the fourth African country to qualify for the tournament, where they were eliminated in the group stage.[2]

History

Similar to the men's team, the team is known as the "Mighty Warriors",[3] the Zimbabwe women's national team was established in 1991, making it one of the earliest women's national teams on the African continent. They were scheduled to compete in the inaugural African Women's Championship in 1991 but withdrew before the tournament. Their first official match was a 5–2 victory over South Africa in a friendly at FNB Stadium, serving as a curtain-raiser for the men's match between Bafana and Holland.[4]

The team played its first African Women's Championship qualifiers in 2000 against Lesotho, winning 8–0 on aggregate over two legs to qualify for their first continental competition. In Group A, the team drew with Uganda, defeated Réunion 2–1, and lost to South Africa 3–0, advancing to their first-ever semifinals. After losing the next two knockout matches, the team finished fourth.[5]

In 2002, the country hosted the inaugural regional COSAFA Women's Championship. During their first campaign, they topped Group A, recording their biggest win, a 15–0 victory over Lesotho. Another dominant performance, an 11–1 win against Mozambique, saw Zimbabwe reach their first final.[6]

Sixteen years after their first match, Zimbabwe won their first regional title and trophy at the 2011 COSAFA Women's Championship on home soil, defeating three-time defending champions South Africa 1–0 in the final.[7]

After failing to qualify for the Olympics on two occasions, the Mighty Warriors secured their ticket to the 2016 Summer Olympics through the 2015 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament. They defeated rivals Zambia, received a walkover against Ivory Coast, and then triumphed over Cameroon with a 2–2 aggregate score, advancing on away goals. It became the first team, either men's or women's from the country to qualify for the Olympics.[8] In their first tournament, they were defeated in all their matches against Australia, Canada, and Germany, but they were able to score in each of the three games.[9]

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda

Manager history

  • Sithethelelwe Sibanda(20??-present)

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

24 October 2024 (2024-10-24) 2024 COSAFA WC GS Mozambique  1–0   Ibhayi, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2 Aurora 18' Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Nuusiku Shangula (Namibia)
27 October 2024 (2024-10-27) 2024 COSAFA WC GS   3–0  Lesotho Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Chinyerere 60', 90+2'
  • Katona 69'
 Report Stadium: Madibaz Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Nuusiku Shangula (Namibia)

2025

20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Angola  2–1   Luanda, Angola
16:00 UTC+1 Ary Papel 1', 73' Report Mucherera 17' Stadium: Estádio Joaquim Dinis
26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 2026 WAFCON qualifying   2–1
(3–3 agg.)
(4–5 p)		  Angola Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Chinyerere 35'
  • Katona 44'
 Report Ary Papel 78' Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Referee: Aline A Etong (Cameroon)
Penalties
  • Cristina
  • Margareth
  • Ketcha
  • Docarsia
  • Ngonguinha
Note: 3–3 on aggregate. Angola won 5–4 on penalties.

Players

Current squad

The following is the squad called up for the 2026 WAFCON qualifying First round named on 12 February 2025.[10]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Precious Mudyiwa (1998-02-02)2 February 1998 (aged 26) Black Rhinos Queens
16 1GK Vanessa Lunga (1994-06-16)16 June 1994 (aged 30) Chapungu Queens
1GK Lindiwe Magwede
5 2DF Shiela Antonio (1999-08-27)27 August 1999 (aged 25) Chapungu Queens
4 2DF Egness Tumbare (1993-07-31)31 July 1993 (aged 31) Herentals Queens
9 2DF Nobukhosi Ncube (Captain) (1993-02-17)17 February 1993 (aged 31) Chapungu Queens
2 2DF Purity Mugayi (1998-12-15)15 December 1998 (aged 25) Black Rhinos Queens
21 2DF Alice Moyo (1993-03-26)26 March 1993 (aged 31) Herentals Queens
2 2DF Fortunate Ngocho
11 3MF Daisy Kaitano (1995-07-04)4 July 1995 (aged 29) Black Rhinos Queens
10 3MF Ennety Chemhere (2002-10-19)19 October 2002 (aged 22) Platinum Royals
8 3MF Morelife Nyagumbo (2005-02-09)9 February 2005 (aged 19) Faith Drive Academy
20 3MF Natasha Ndowa (1998-01-03)3 January 1998 (aged 26) Chapungu Queens
2 3MF Danai Bhobho
2 3MF Mavis Chirandu
2 3MF Emmaculate Msipa
14 4FW Ethel Chinyerere (1996-06-12)12 June 1996 (aged 28) Chapungu Queens
2 4FW Rutendo Makore
2 4FW Yolanda Kanyai
2 4FW Ruvimbo Mucherera
13 4FW Christabel Katona (1999-02-13)13 February 1999 (aged 25) Black Rhinos Queens

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Mozambique squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Cynthia Shonga (2000-06-18) 18 June 2000 - - Richmond United v.  Lesotho ,27 October 2024
GK Sasha Machona - - v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
DF Nokukhanya Ndlovu - - v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
MF Edline Mutumbami (1996-10-13) 13 October 1996 - - Chapungu Queens v.  Lesotho ,27 October 2024
MF Tanyaradzwa Chihoro (2004-12-01) 1 December 2004 - - Maningi Soccer Academy v.  Lesotho ,27 October 2024
MF Peacemore Kenende (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 - - Richmond United v.  Lesotho ,27 October 2024
MF Shyline Dambamuromo (2000-04-04)4 April 2000 (aged 24) - - Herentals Queens v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
MF Nadia Semba (2006-03-18)18 March 2006 (aged 18) - - Correctional Queens v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
MF Patience Ndlovu (2006-02-10)10 February 2006 (aged 18) - - Highlanders Royals v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
FW Priviledge Mupeti (1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 - - Black Rhinos Queens v.  Lesotho ,27 October 2024
FW Maudy Mafuruse (1999-04-24)24 April 1999 (aged 25) - - Herentals Queens v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
FW Mitchell John (2005-09-14)14 September 2005 (aged 19) - - Harare City Queens v.  Angola ,20 February 2025
FW Anita Nube - - v.  Angola ,20 February 2025

Previous squads

Olympic Games
Africa Women Cup of Nations
COSAFA Women's Championship

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year 		Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Withdrew Withdrew
1995 Did not enter Did not enter
1999
2003 Did not qualify The 2002 African Women's Championship served as the qualifying tournament
2007 Withdrew Withdrew
2011 Did not enter Did not enter
2015 Did not qualify The 2014 African Women's Championship served as the qualifying tournament
2019 Did not qualify The 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations served as the qualifying tournament
2023 Did not qualify The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations served as the qualifying tournament
2027 To be determined The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations will serve as the qualifying tournament
Total – 0/10 – – – – – – – Total – – – – – –

Summer Olympics

Summer Olympics record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year 		Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1996 Did not enter The 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament
2000 The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament
2004 Did not qualify Second round 2 0 1 1 0 1
2008 3 1 0 2 9 6
2012 Did not enter Did not enter
2016 Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 3 15 squad Fourth round 6 4 0 2 10 4
2020 Withdrew Second round 1 0 0 1 0 5
2024 Suspended Suspended
2028 To be determined To be determined
Total – 1/8 3 0 0 3 3 15 – Total 12 5 1 6 19 16

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Women's Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year 		Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Withdrew No qualifying tournament
1995 Did not enter
1998 Did not enter
2000 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 8 17 squad Main round 2 2 0 0 4 0
2002 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 2 4 squad Main round 2 2 0 0 10 0
2004 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 4 squad Main round 2 2 0 0 7 0
2006 Withdrew Withdrew
2008 Did not qualify Second round 4 2 0 2 7 9
2010 Did not enter Did not enter
2012 Did not qualify First round 4 2 0 2 3 7
2014 Second round 4 2 0 2 3 3
2016 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 0 3 squad Main round 4 3 1 0 7 4
2018 Did not qualify Second round 4 3 0 1 6 2
2022 Second round 4 3 0 1 9 4
2024 Did not enter Did not enter
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total – 4/16 14 2 5 7 13 28 – Total 30 21 1 8 56 29

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Zimbabwe's Women's Football Team Makes History Going Into Rio 2016 Olympics". okayafrica.com. Pablo Medina Uribe. August 3, 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Ruthless Copper Queens thrash Mighty Warriors". zambianfootball.co.zm. August 29, 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Where are our queens?". herald.co.zw. October 28, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "Zimbabwe's journalist-footballer ready for Rio". inside.fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  6. ^ "History of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women's Championship". cosafa.com. October 6, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "Zimbabwe Mighty Warriors lift COSAFA cup". nehandaradio.com. July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "The unlikely Olympic journey of Zimbabwe's Mighty Warriors". espn.com. August 1, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "No riches, but respect for Zimbabwe women's football team at Rio 2016 Olympics". indianexpress.com. August 9, 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Mighty Warriors final squad to face Angola in the 2026 AWCON qualifiers". Zimbabwe Football Association. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025 – via facebook.
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