The 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship, officially known as the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women's Championship for sponsorship purposes, was the thirteenth edition of the COSAFA Women's Championship, the annual international women's association football championship was contested by the women's national teams of Southern Africa. Initially set to be held in the fall of 2025, the tournament was pushed to early 2026 due to the host's unavailability. South Africa hosted the tournament for the eighth straight edition from 18 February to 1 March 2026.
Zambia were the defending champions, having won their second title after beating South Africa 4–3 on penalties following a scoreless draw. However, they were unable to retain the trophy, as they were eliminated by eventual champions Namibia in the semi-finals. The Brave Gladiators went on to secure their maiden women's football title, defeating hosts South Africa 2–1 after extra time in the final. Zimbabwe's Rutendo Makore claimed the Golden Boot after scoring three goals throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Namibia's forward Zenatha Coleman was awarded the Golden Ball after being voted the competition's best player. Her teammate Melissa Matheus secured the Golden Glove, presented to the tournament's top-performing goalkeeper.
Postponement and host selection By mid-October 2025, close to the initial scheduled period for the tournament to take place, it was announced that South Africa, which had hosted the previous seven editions, were not willing to host the tournament for an eighth time. With no other country willing to step in as host, COSAFA announced the postponement of the 2025 edition to the early quarter of 2026. With the tournament now pushed to early 2026, ahead of WAFCON taking place in March, the championship will serve as a preparation competition for the three regional body members that had qualified for the continental finals. On 23 January 2026, COSAFA confirmed that South Africa would host the tournament for an eighth time, providing fine-tuning ahead of the continent's finals.
Location and venues The 2025 edition was hosted in Polokwane, marking the city's first time hosting the tournament among South Africa's eight editions as host.
The following 3 venues were used for the tournament: Polokwane Seshego StadiumOld Peter Mokaba StadiumNew Peter Mokaba Stadium Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 45,500
Teams Pariticpating teams Eligibility for participation in the championship is open to all 14 COSAFA members; however, teams outside the regional body may also be eligible if they receive an invitation.
On 4 February 2026, COSAFA announced that 11 countries would participate in the 2025 edition. Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, all of which participated in 2024, decided not to participate in this edition.
TeamLastappearancePrevious best performanceFIFA ranking 2024 155 2024 141 2024 184 2024 177 2024 192 2024 153 2024 172 2024 124 2024 55 2024 (2022, 2024) 64 2024129
Squads
Each national team had to submit a squad of 23 players, three of whom had to be goalkeepers.
Draw The final group stage draw took place in Polokwane on 4 February 2026 at 11:00 SAST (UTC+2).
The top three teams from the previous tournament were automatically seeded into the first positions of Groups A–C. Hosts South Africa were placed in A1, defending champions Zambia in B1, and Mozambique in C1. The remaining teams were allocated to two pots for the draw: Pot 1 Pot 2 Match officials COSAFA appointed 10 referees and 12 assistant referees for the tournament. Referees
Laurinda Caluvi
Rose Zimba
Hloniphile Msezane Nonjabulo Ndlela Anna Banda Grace Gimo
Assistant referees
Kakale Mbiko Patricia Mkhaliph
Happiness Mbandambanda Margarete Gimo Roda Mondlane
Eveline Augustinus Nandipha Menze Beauty Siatontola Claris Simango
Group stage All times are local, SAST (UTC+2). The match schedule was announced by COSAFA on 5 February 2026. Tie-breaking criteria for group playThe ranking of teams in the group stage was determined as follows: Points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question (three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a defeat); Goal difference in the matches played between the teams in question; Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question; Goal difference in all group matches; Fair play points in all group matches (only one deduction could be applied to a player in a single match): Drawing of lots. Group A <onlyinclude>
Group B <onlyinclude>
Group C <onlyinclude>
Ranking of second-place teams Due to groups having a different number of teams, the results against the fourth-placed teams in four-team groups were not considered for this ranking.
Knockout stage In the semi-finals, matches level after 90 minutes were decided by a penalty shoot-out, while extra time (followed by penalties if required) would be used only in the final. Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Goalscorers
Awards The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament: the Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best overall player) and Golden Glove (best goalkeeper).
Golden Boot Rutendo MakoreGolden Ball Zenatha ColemanGolden Glove Melissa MatheusCOSAFA Fair Play Trophy
Group Stage Best XI and Coach GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards Cynthia Shonga Ireen Khumalo Agnes Tumbare Simangele Sikhondze Nobukhosi Ncube Eneless Phiri Zenatha Coleman Sbongakonke Mzobe Ary Papel Deborah Henry Makhotso MoalosiCoach: Sithethelewe Sibanda (Zimbabwe) Final Best XI and Coach GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards Melissa Matheus Ireen Khumalo Agnes Tumbare Lovisa Mulunga Margaret Belemu Eneless Phiri Zenatha Coleman Nthabiseng Majiya Makhotso Moalosi Rutendo Makore Deborah HenryCoach: Lesley Kakuva (Namibia)
Broadcasting rights CountryBroadcasterRef. WorldFIFA+
References