By Tinotenda Hove

Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors have been eliminated from contention for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after losing to Angola in a penalty shootout, 5-4.

The teams had played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their qualifying match, and Zimbabwe lost 2-1 in the away leg in Angola.

After trailing from the first leg, the Mighty Warriors faced an uphill battle. Despite a strong effort, they were unable to overcome the deficit, leading to the decisive penalty shootout.

Prior to the qualifiers, the team had undergone a two-week training camp. Coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda had expressed confidence in their ability to qualify, but ultimately fell short.