By Netshakuma Muleya
THE battle for regional football supremacy continues as Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors prepare to face rivals South Africa in the COSAFA Cup 2025 semi-final in South Africa on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Following their impressive group stage encounters in Group B, where they defeated Botswana 1-0, Eswatini 2-0, and held defending champions Zambia to a stalemate draw, the Mighty Warriors are now just one match away from securing a spot in the COSAFA final.
The Mighty Warriors advanced as the best overall runners-up among the three groups. According to tournament rules, the three group winners automatically qualify for the semi-finals, along with the best-performing second-placed team across all groups.
The Mighty Warriors finished as the best second-placed team in the group stage with 7 points, level with Zambia who had a superior goal difference.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, ZIFA Match Commissioner, Phathutshedzo Munyai said, “We should support the mighty warriors for them to bring the trophy home ,It won’t be an easy task battling with the best rivals like south Africa with a large history of championships but we hope for the best .”
Backed by the home crowd, the seven-time champions South Africa will look to take a chance to reclaim their regional dominance, while the Mighty Warriors look to secure a path to fight for a second title.
Zimbabwe looks to end its over 15-year trophy drought after winning its maiden trophy in 2011 against South Africa.