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Mighty Warriors Face Lengthy Layoff as COSAFA Women’s Championship Postponed to 2026

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Zimbabwe’s senior women’s national football team, the Mighty Warriors, face an extended period without international action following the postponement of the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship and the absence of friendly fixtures during the current FIFA international window.

The team last featured in competitive action in February, when they faced Angola in a two legged 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier. Since then, there has been no activity for the squad, leaving players and fans frustrated by the prolonged inactivity.

With the ongoing FIFA Women’s International Break running from 20 to 28 October, many nations across the continent are engaged in friendly matches and training camps. However, for Zimbabwe, there are no games lined up, not even a local camp or intra squad match to maintain the players’ match fitness and team cohesion.

The situation has been further compounded by the cancellation of this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship, traditionally the most consistent regional competition providing exposure for Southern Africa’s women footballers.

In a circular issued on 20 October 2025, the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) announced that the 2025 edition of the women’s tournament has been postponed due to the unavailability of a host nation. The regional body is now in discussions with potential hosts to reschedule the competition for the first quarter of 2026.

“COSAFA is engaging potential hosts to ensure the successful delivery of the tournament, which is now expected to take place in early 2026,” read part of the statement. “Further details regarding the new dates and venue will be communicated in due course.”

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) responded to the development by expressing support for COSAFA’s decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the high standards of women’s football in the region.

“ZIFA acknowledges and supports COSAFA’s commitment to maintaining the quality and integrity of the women’s game across Southern Africa and looks forward to the rescheduled staging of the tournament,” the association said in a statement.

However, the lack of consistent international fixtures remains a concern for the Mighty Warriors, who have struggled to maintain momentum amid irregular competition schedules and limited preparation time. For a team that has represented Zimbabwe at the highest levels, including the 2016 Rio Olympics, the continued inactivity threatens to stall progress in rebuilding a competitive side.

The postponement also raises questions about the broader development of women’s football in the country, with players missing valuable opportunities to showcase their talent and gain international experience.

With no confirmed fixtures or training camps on the horizon, Zimbabwe’s female footballers are now expected to wait until 2026 for their next taste of international football, a lengthy and worrying gap that underscores the urgent need for more structured support and regular competition for the women’s game in the country.

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CAPS United Bolsters Squad with 12 New Signings Ahead of 2026 Season

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CAPS United has strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026 season, confirming the signing of 12 new players across all positions. The club, determined to challenge for domestic honours, has added a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents.

Among the new arrivals are defenders Nyasha Gurende, Talent Chamboko, and Kudzai Chigwida, midfield reinforcements Lloyd Njaliwa, McDonald Makuwe, Bret Amidu, and Richard Hachiro, as well as forwards Obriel Chirinda, Chawanangwa Kaonga, and Delic Murimba. The club also secured winger Davison Marowa and goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.

The signings reflect CAPS United’s intent to build a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Club officials have highlighted the importance of blending youth and experience to maintain competitiveness in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.

Fans will be eager to see how the new recruits integrate with the existing squad as pre-season preparations ramp up. With reinforcements across defence, midfield, and attack, CAPS United is signaling its ambition to mount a strong challenge in the 2026 campaign.

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Meet Ballon Chiseko: The Man Mobilising Footballers and Coaches for ED

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Ballon Chiseko is the driving force behind the fast-growing Former Footballers and Players for ED initiative, a movement that has begun to attract attention within Zimbabwe’s football circles.

Popularly known as “Master”, Chiseko is a former professional footballer with a career that spanned across the region. He previously turned out for Shooting Stars, Munumotapa FC, and Gaborone United in Botswana, earning respect both on and off the pitch.

Through the initiative, Chiseko is bringing together former players, active footballers and coaches with the aim of contributing to national development using football as a tool for engagement and influence.

Chiseko says the formation of the group was inspired by the President’s call for inclusive national development.

“The President has an open-door policy to develop the country, leaving no place and no one behind. We formed this initiative in response to that call so that our footballers and coaches can also play a role through football,” he said.

The Former Footballers and Players for ED movement positions football not just as a sport, but as a platform for unity, participation and national contribution, with Chiseko emerging as the key figure coordinating its vision and direction.

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US$100K Lifeline for Soccer Legends

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$100K Lifeline for Soccer Legends
Former Zimbabwe soccer legends, including Sunday Marimo and Evans Gwekerere, meet with Zanu PF Deputy Political Commissar Taurai Kandishaya (centre) at his Goromonzi farm during the launch of the Footballers4ED affiliate. The gathering unveiled a US$100,000 livelihood project fund pledged for ex-players. (Picture: Hurumende News Hub)

• Tagwirei Pledges $100k to Former Footballers Through New Zanu PF Affiliate 

• Footballers4ED Initiative Offers Ex-Players Projects, Free Healthcare

• Zimbabwe Soccer Legends Tasked with Grassroots Revival Under New Funding Scheme

A new affiliate group, Footballers4ED, has been launched with a pledge of US$100,000 in funding for former footballers, aimed at supporting project-based livelihoods.

 

The initiative was unveiled at a meeting hosted by Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Political Commissar Taurai Kandishaya at his farm in Goromonzi.

Speaking to the gathering, which included several Zimbabwean soccer legends, Kandishaya announced that the funding had been pledged by businessman and Zanu PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

 

“Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei pledged to support the former footballers with US$100,000 so that they come up with various projects so that they earn a better living,” Kandishaya said.

“On top of the $100k, you are allowed to get free health facility and medical at Arundel Hospital.”

 

Kandishaya also linked the initiative to broader national efforts, referencing recently announced presidential funding for football promotion.

 

He said retired footballers under the Footballers for Economic Development banner would be tasked with organizing tournaments from grassroots levels.

 

The event saw the attendance of former football icons such as Sunday Marimo and Evans Gwekerere.

 

Balon Chiseko, the National Chairman of Footballers4ED, explained the group’s purpose.

 

“The purpose of this organization is to remember every legend who contributed to the soccer fraternity of this country,” he said.

 

“We understand all former soccer players have various grievances but the initiative of this is to revive soccer through their knowledge.”

 

Former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa expressed gratitude for the recognition.

 

“Since his life this is the first time to gather for an initiative that remembers us,” he said.

 

“I want to thank the organizers of this initiative, we are ready to develop and revive football in Zimbabwe.”

 

The Footballers4ED group positions itself as an affiliate supporting Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Economic Development (ED) agenda.

 

The pledged funds are intended to catalyze entrepreneurial projects for the former athletes while mobilizing their expertise for grassroots football development.

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