COSAFA: Zambia coach heaps praise on players after Botswana win

Zambia women’s national team assistant coach Charles Haalubono says the Copper Queens started the COSAFA title defense the right way with a 3-0 win over Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Reacting to Zambia’s victory during a post – match press conference, Haalubono said the focus was to win the first game and take control of Group B in the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025 in Polokwane South Africa.

Big performance. Big vibes. 😎⚽

Player of the Match goes to Eneless Phiri 🇿🇲#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/hnLKdvCmgM

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 19, 2026

Haalubono explained the team followed the plan and played well. He said the players were disciplined, kept possession and utilized their chances.

“First thing we planned to say in this first game we should get the maximum points so that we are in control of the group and it has worked to our advantage,” Haalubono said.

Haalubono praises Botswana despite defeat

Haalubono said despite Zambia’s win over, Botswana defended well, they stayed compact and moved as a unit which made it hard to attack through the middle.

He said Zambia had to use the wingers and play wide to create opportunities.

“We saw Botswana well organized in defence; they were moving as a block and very compact so we used the wingers to penetrate,” he said.

He added the tournament is helping Zambia prepare for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hence the need for the team to keep performing and continue collecting points.

“We have to keep on pushing the girls because this COSAFA is also helping us to prepare the team for WAFCON. So, it’s important to maintain the momentum and we keep on collecting the maximum points,”

And Player of the match Eneless Phiri said she was happy with her performance and the win.

Congratulations Eneless Phiri 🇿🇲#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/zWOjbEd3P6

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 19, 2026

“I’m so happy to have won the player of the match award. The game was tough but thank God we got the maximum 3 points. We should not underrate Zimbabwe or Eswatini in the next fixtures.

“Fans must continue supporting us so we give them more good performances and results,” Phiri said.

Zimbabwe made a strong start

Zambia took control of the game early and went ahead inside the first 15 minutes through Regina Chanda. The Copper Queens kept most of the possession and pushed Botswana deep into their own half for long periods.

Their pressure paid off again just before half-time when Susan Banda scored from distance to make it 2-0. Zambia continued to attack after the break and created several chances with captain Kabange Mupopo, who had earlier missed a clear opportunity, later found the net to seal the victory.

The scoreline could have been higher after Eneless Phiri struck the crossbar from a set-piece shortly before the third goal. The result put

Zambia top of Group B with three points. While Zimbabwe are second with three points. Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe made a strong start with a 2-0 win over the Eswatini women’s national football team.

Eswatini sit third in the pool, while Botswana are fourth, with both sides still without points.