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.

🇿🇲 Zambia women’s national football team Launch COSAFA 2025 Title Defence with 3-0 Statement Win

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Assistant coach Charles Haalubono says Zambia made the perfect start to their title defence at the COSAFA Women’s Championship after a commanding 3-0 victory over Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Speaking during a post-match press conference in Polokwane, South Africa, Haalubono emphasized that securing maximum points in the opening Group B fixture was the team’s primary objective.

Zambia Take Early Control of Group B

The Copper Queens wasted no time asserting their authority. Regina Chanda broke the deadlock inside the opening 15 minutes, setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance.

Zambia controlled possession for long stretches, pressing Botswana into their own half and limiting their attacking opportunities. Their discipline and tactical structure ensured they rarely looked threatened.

Haalubono explained that everything unfolded according to plan.

“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,” he said.

Just before halftime, Susan Banda doubled Zambia’s advantage with a powerful long-range effort. The second goal effectively put the game beyond Botswana’s reach and highlighted Zambia’s attacking efficiency.

After the break, captain Kabange Mupopo sealed the victory with a well-taken goal in the 70th minute, capping a professional display from the defending champions.

Charles Haalubono Praises Botswana’s Defensive Organization

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Haalubono was quick to credit Botswana for their defensive organization.

The assistant coach noted that Botswana stayed compact, moved as a block, and made it difficult for Zambia to penetrate centrally.

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

By switching play wide and exploiting pace on the flanks, Zambia were able to stretch the opposition’s defensive shape. This tactical flexibility proved crucial in breaking down a stubborn backline.

COSAFA 2025 as Preparation for WAFCON

Haalubono also highlighted that the tournament serves as important preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

“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,” he added.

For Zambia, maintaining winning momentum is essential not only for regional dominance but also for building confidence ahead of continental challenges.

Eneless Phiri Shines as Player of the Match

Eneless Phiri delivered an outstanding performance and was named Player of the Match. She was lively throughout and nearly added her name to the scoresheet after striking the crossbar from a set-piece shortly before the third goal.

“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,” Phiri said.

She also warned against complacency in upcoming fixtures against Zimbabwe and the Eswatini women’s national football team.

“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,” she stated.