COSAFA Women’s Championship: Zambia coach criticises team despite Eswatini win

Zambia women’s national team assistant coach Charles Haalubono admitted changes to his starting XI against Eswatini disrupted the team’s flow in their COSAFA Women’s Championship on Tuesday.

The final Group B match at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, saw the Copper Queens come from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win and qualification to the semifinals.

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞:

The Copper Queens get the job DONE and book their spot in the semifinals!

🇿🇲Zambia 2 (Musesa 21’Chitundu 52’) – 1 Eswatini (Mokgale 14’) 🇸🇿 #CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/BBJMHNfPAe

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 24, 2026

Zambia controlled possession early and looked comfortable on the ball. But it was Eswatini who struck first with Nonjabuliso Mokgale punishing a defensive lapse in the 14th minute after Agness Musesa failed to deal with a header.

Haalubono named a different starting XI

Mokgale cut in from the right and fired low into the bottom corner goalkeeper beyond Mwila Mufunte. Zambia responded quickly with Captain Agness Musesa making amends in the 21st minute; rising highest to head in Mercy Chisanga’s corner and restore parity.

Haalubono rang the changes, naming a different starting 11 as he rotated the squad. Zambia struggled to find their usual rhythm but the breakthrough came seven minutes into the second half with Avell Chitundu finding space in the box and slotted home in the 52nd minute to seal the comeback and book Zambia’s place in the last four.

Speaking after the match, Haalubono conceded: “We tried our players whom we selected to come and assess, so we struggled. We did have the actual play which we wanted; in short, let me say we didn’t play well.”

‘We are here to access everyone’

He said the decision to rotate was deliberate, aimed at giving every player a fair chance to impress the technical bench. Haalubono noted the shift in tempo after experienced players were introduced in the second half.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 🏆

Congratulations to Maweta Chilenga 🇿🇲#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/1bSjrYeyYY

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 24, 2026

“In the second half we picked up when we brought in the usual players, which helped us to settle but it’s good because we are here to assess everyone and give almost equal opportunity to every player who is here so it’s a good result,” he said.

The Copper Queens will now face the winner of Group C, which features Madagascar, Namibia and Mozambique. Namibia and Madagascar are tied on three points, while Mozambique are yet to register a point.

A win for Madagascar against Mozambique would see them advance to the semi-finals to face Zambia.