Defending champions Zambia stayed top of Group B after a hard-fought 0-0 draw with neighbours Zimbabwe at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2025 at Seshego Stadium on Sunday.
It was the first match of the tournament not to produce a goal. The Copper Queens remain in pole position with four points thanks to a superior goal-difference, with the Mighty Warriors also on four points from the same number of games.
The opening exchanges of the Zambezi derby produced few clear chances.
Zimbabwe went closest in the first half from a corner shortly after the half-hour mark as Nobukhosi Ncube swung the ball into the area, but goalkeeper Catherine Musonda punched clear to deny a danger moment.
The final 10 minutes of the half were played with greater urgency as both sides pushed to break the deadlock. Eneless Phiri fired off target, while Zambia captain Kabange Mupopo tried her luck from distance, her effort grazing the roof of the net.
Zimbabwe threatened early in the second period when Rutendo Makore had a chance inside the first five minutes, but her effort did not trouble the Zambian goalkeeper.
Zambia responded soon after and were unlucky not to score when Agnes Phiri struck the crossbar after being set up by Mupopo.
Earlier in the day, Botswana and Eswatini played to a 1-1 draw in the same pool. The Mares opened the scoring just after 20 minutes through Nolofatso Mamela, and almost doubled their advantage soon after, but Laone Moloi failed to hit the target from inside the box.
Eswatini levelled through Nonjabuliso Mokgale after a superb solo run.
The Eswatini side had a chance to take the lead before half-time when Neliswa Ngcamphalala was found in space, but her effort was too tame to trouble the Botswana goalkeeper.
Mokgale then came close to a late winner on two occasions, only to be denied each time by excellent goalkeeping from Tsotlhe Mpezulu.
The action continues on Monday when the second game in Group C between Namibia and Madagascar at the Seshego Stadium (kick-off 15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT).
Namibia won their opener against Mozambique 2-0 so can claim the pool if they get another victory. A win for Madagascar would throw the group wide open.
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