Zimbabwe women's national football team
| Nickname | Mighty Warriors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Zimbabwe Football Association (ZFA) | ||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
| Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | ||
| Head coach | Sithethelelwe Sibanda | ||
| Captain | Nobukhosi Ncube | ||
| FIFA code | ZIM | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 129 1 (11 December 2025)[1] | ||
| Highest | 82 (December 2013) | ||
| Lowest | 130 (March 2025) | ||
| First international | |||
| Zimbabwe 4–0 Lesotho (Harare, Zimbabwe; 30 July 2000) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| Zimbabwe 15–0 Lesotho (Harare, Zimbabwe; 19 April 2002) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Nigeria 6–0 Zimbabwe (Johannesburg, South Africa; 21 November 2000) | |||
| African Women's Championship | |||
| Appearances | 4 (first in 1991) | ||
| Best result | 4th (2000) | ||
| Summer Olympics | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2016) | ||
| Best result | 12th (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
2025
| 20 February 2025 2026 WAFCON qualifying | Angola | 2–1 | Zimbabwe | Luanda, Angola |
| 16:00 UTC+1 | Ary Papel 1', 73' | Report | Mucherera 17' | Stadium: Estádio Joaquim Dinis |
| 26 February 2025 2026 WAFCON qualifying | Zimbabwe | 2–1 (3–3 agg.) (4–5 p) | Angola | Pretoria, South Africa |
| 15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Ary Papel 78' | Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium Referee: Aline A Etong (Cameroon) |
| Penalties | ||||
|
||||
| Note: 3–3 on aggregate. Angola won 5–4 on penalties. | ||||
| 30 November 2025 3 Nations Tournament | Malawi | 1-1 | Zambia | Lilongwe, Malawi |
| 15:00 | Kabzere 56' | Nanyangwe 65' | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
| 2 December 2025 3 Nations Tournament | Zambia | 3-1 | Zimbabwe | Lilongwe, Malawi |
| 15:00 |
|
Ncube 31' | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
Players
Current squad
The following is the squad named for the Three Nations Women's Tournament held in Lilongwe, Malawi from 28 November to 2 December 2023.[10]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Delight Matigwene | Chapungu Queens | ||||
| GK | Vanessa Lunga | Platinum Royals | ||||
| GK | Cynthia Shonga | 18 June 2000 | Herentals Queens | |||
| DF | Fiona Kabera | Conduit Soccer Academy | ||||
| DF | Melindah Mapasure | Faith Drive Academy | ||||
| DF | Egness Tumbare | 31 July 1993 | Correctional Queens | |||
| DF | Bridget Mutaurwa | Herentals Queens | ||||
| DF | Nokukhanya Ndlovu | Platinum Royals | ||||
| DF | Nobukhosi Ncube | 17 February 1993 | Chapungu Queens | |||
| DF | Sheila Antonio | 27 August 1999 | Chapungu Queens | |||
| DF | Alice Moyo | 26 March 1993 | Herentals Queens | |||
| MF | Macgirl Sipini | Harare City Queens | ||||
| MF | Ennety Chemhere | 19 October 2002 | Platinum Royals | |||
| MF | Daisy Kaitano | 4 July 1995 | Black Rhinos Queens | |||
| MF | Caroline Mangwasi | Black Rhinos Queens | ||||
| MF | Christabel Katona | 13 February 1999 | Black Rhinos Queens | |||
| MF | Priviledge Mupeti | 29 September 1997 | Black Rhinos Queens | |||
| MF | Shyline Dambamuromo | 4 April 2000 | Herentals Queens | |||
| MF | Bethel Kondo | Herentals Queens | ||||
| FW | Anita Ncube | Kwekwe Queens | ||||
| FW | Ethel Chinyerere | 12 June 1996 | Chapungu Queens | |||
| FW | Rutendo Makore | Black Rhinos Queens | ||||
| FW | Prayneence Zawanda | Herentals 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 | 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 | 13 October 1996 | - | - | Chapungu Queens | v. Lesotho, 27 October 2024 |
| MF | Tanyaradzwa Chihoro | 1 December 2004 | - | - | Maningi Soccer Academy | v. Lesotho, 27 October 2024 |
| MF | Peacemore Kenende | 3 March 1997 | - | - | Richmond United | v. Lesotho, 27 October 2024 |
| MF | Shyline Dambamuromo | 4 April 2000 (aged 24) | - | - | Herentals Queens | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 |
| MF | Nadia Semba | 18 March 2006 (aged 18) | - | - | Correctional Queens | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 |
| MF | Patience Ndlovu | 10 February 2006 (aged 18) | - | - | Highlanders Royals | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 |
| MF | Patience Ndlovu | 10 February 2006 | - | - | Highlanders Royals | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 |
| MF | Nadia Semba | 18 March 2006 | - | - | Correctional Queens | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 |
| FW | Maudy Mafuruse | 24 April 1999 | - | - | Herentals Queens | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 |
| FW | Mitchell John | 14 September 2005 | - | - | Harare City Queens | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 |
| MF | Danai Bhobho | - | - | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 | ||
| MF | Mavis Chirandu | - | - | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 | ||
| MF | Emmaculate Msipa | - | - | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 | ||
| FW | Priviledge Mupeti | 29 September 1997 | - | - | Black Rhinos Queens | v. Lesotho, 27 October 2024 |
| FW | Maudy Mafuruse | 24 April 1999 (aged 25) | - | - | Herentals Queens | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 |
| FW | Mitchell John | 14 September 2005 (aged 19) | - | - | Harare City Queens | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 |
| FW | Anita Nube | - | - | v. Angola, 20 February 2025 | ||
| FW | Yolanda Kanyai | - | - | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 | ||
| FW | Ruvimbo Mucherera | - | - | v. Angola, 26 February 2025 | ||
Previous squads
- Olympic Games
- Africa Women Cup of Nations
- COSAFA Women's Championship
- 2020 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
- 2021 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
- 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
- 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
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
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Ruthless Copper Queens thrash Mighty Warriors". zambianfootball.co.zm. August 29, 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Where are our queens?". herald.co.zw. October 28, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- ^ "Zimbabwe's journalist-footballer ready for Rio". inside.fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "History of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women's Championship". cosafa.com. October 6, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- ^ "Zimbabwe Mighty Warriors lift COSAFA cup". nehandaradio.com. July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- ^ "The unlikely Olympic journey of Zimbabwe's Mighty Warriors". espn.com. August 1, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- ^ "No riches, but respect for Zimbabwe women's football team at Rio 2016 Olympics". indianexpress.com. August 9, 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Mighty Warriors squad announcement for the Three Nations Tournament". Zimbabwe Football Association. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
External links
- Zimbabwe women's national football team – official website at ZIFA (in English)