Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE Zimbabwean girls’ football teams, the Under-17 and Under-20, are gearing up for the COSAFA tournament and World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to kick off this weekend.
The Under-17 team will participate in the COSAFA Under-17 girls’ championship in Windhoek, Namibia, from May 10 to May 17.
They were drawn into Group C alongside last year’s runners-up Lesotho and the ever-competitive Botswana.
“We are excited to take on the best teams in the region at the COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship. We have worked tirelessly to prepare, and we are ready to showcase our skills and make a statement,” Zim under 17 girls captain Alicia Chinyoka said.
Zimbabwe has a rich history in the tournament, having featured in two of the previous five editions, including their debut in 2020, where they finished fourth in the round-robin competition.
They returned in December last year, getting off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Mauritius, but lost to eventual winners Zambia and Botswana.
On the other hand, the Under-20 team will face Rwanda in the first round of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The two-legged tie will see the teams play each other on May 11 and May 14.
“We are gearing up for a tough challenge against Rwanda, but we are confident in our abilities and determined to progress to the next round. Our team has been working hard, and we are ready to give it our all and make Zimbabwe proud,” Zim under-20 girls team coach, Garthly Chipuka stated.
The qualifiers will feature 38 African teams vying for four coveted slots in the 12th edition of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland later this year.
Meanwhile, a send-off ceremony was held this Thursday for both teams, with the Under-17 team departing this Friday, while the Under-20 team leaves on Saturday for their respective assignments.
