Zimbabwe overcome Zambia to win Mukuru Cup

The Zimbabwe national team overcame rivals Zambia 1-0 to win the championship of the inaugural Mukuru Four Nations Tournament in Botswana on Tuesday evening.

Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 won the Mukura Four Nations Tournament on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 victory over Zambia 🇿🇲.

TS Galaxy forward Junior Zindoga 🇿🇼 created the winning goal when his cross was deflected into the Zambian goal. The Warriors win the tournament without conceding. pic.twitter.com/hSqHJsJ8VJ

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) March 31, 2026

Substitute Junior Zindoga created the sole goal for the Warriors two minutes remaining on the clock. The TS Galaxy forward outpaced his marker on the right channel and just as he appeared to whip the ball across the goal mouth, he held on to the ball flooring his opponent in the process.

Thereafter, the former Marumo Gallants man squeezed in a shot at the nearpost where Zambian defender Kafunti Saisada deflected the ball into his own net.

The Warriors wound up the tournament without conceding in two games while scoring thrice.

The first half ended with the Warriors providing a serious scoring threat, which did not pay dividends as a header from Macauley Bonne was ruled out for offsides in the 38th minute.

Going into the match, Zimbabwe coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica made only two changes to the starting XI from Saturday’s game against Botswana.

Isheanesu Mauchi got the nod to start in defence in place of suspended Teenage Hadebe, while Shane Maroodza replaced Munashe Garananga and the rest of the players from Saturday’s match against Botswana were retained.

Elvis Chipezeze kept his spot between the sticks, Marvelous Nakamba led from midfield and Bill Antonio was the focal point in attack.

In the opposite camp, Zambia caretaker coach Osward Mutapa stuck to the ‘do not fix if it is not broken’ mantra, by maintaining the bulk of the players from the last match they won 9-8 on post-match penalties against Malawi following a 0-0 draw.

Luka Mainza manned the posts while Abraham Siamkombo drove Chipolopolo forward.