MBABANE – Setback!
The Eswatini’s Women’s Senior National Team, Sitsebe Samhlekazi, find themselves playing catch-up following a bruising opening match at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, South Africa.
Hopes of a dream start for Bongani Makhukhula’s charges were dashed at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium earlier today earlier today, February 19, 2026, as Zimbabwe secured a clinical 2-0 victory. A goal in each half by Praynence Zvawanda and Rutendo Makore proved the difference, leaving the Eswatini side with a mountain to climb in what has been widely dubbed the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’.
Still chasing an elusive maiden title, this new-look Eswatini squad got more than they had bargained for against a disciplined Zimbabwean outfit. The defeat puts immediate pressure on Sitsebe to redeem their campaign when they return to action against Botswana this Saturday at noon. Botswana were in action against reigning holders Zambia in the other opening fixture of Group B at the time of compiling this report.
The rescheduled championship, which runs from February 18 to March 1, 2026, features 11 participating teams divided into three groups. Due to the uneven number of entries, the groups are sized differently, placing Eswatini in a challenging four-team pool alongside Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The path to the knockout stages remains notoriously narrow. Only four teams will advance to the semi-finals: The three group winners and the single best runner-up across the entire competition.
To maintain fairness between the groups of four and the solitary group of three, a specific coefficient rule is in effect. When determining the best runner-up, results against the last-placed teams in Groups A and B are discarded. This ensures all second-place contenders are compared based on only two matches. For Eswatini, this means every goal and every point from here on out is vital if they are to defy the odds and keep their semi-final dreams alive.
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