Zimbabwe’s Warriors bowed out of the 2025 COSAFA Cup in heartbreaking fashion, despite a spirited 3-1 victory over Mozambique in their final Group A encounter at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Thando Ngwenya starred with a first-half brace, striking in the 26th minute and converting a penalty in the 33rd, while Junior Makunike added a stoppage-time goal to seal a deserved win. The result secured Zimbabwe their first three points and goals of the tournament—but it wasn’t enough.
The Warriors finished level on four points with both South Africa and Mozambique. However, hosts South Africa progressed to the semi-finals thanks to a superior goal difference, leaving Zimbabwe in second place and Mozambique third. Mauritius finished bottom of the group.
The Warriors entered the match knowing they needed both a win and a favourable result in the other fixture to keep their knockout hopes alive. Despite delivering their most complete performance of the tournament, the damage had already been done in earlier games.
Mozambique’s lone goal came via Leonel Calsao in the 36th minute, briefly cutting Zimbabwe’s lead to 2-1 before Makunike’s late strike extinguished any hopes of a comeback.
The result marks another early exit for Zimbabwe, who were making their return to regional competition following years of international suspension. Yet, the emergence of young talents like Ngwenya and Makunike provided a silver lining, offering a glimpse of promise for the Warriors’ future.