Zimbabwe lost 2-1 to South Africa in the COSAFA Women Championship final played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

The Mighty Warriors got their goal from Rutendo Makore in the second half while South Africa scored through Christina Kgatlana and Leandra Smeda.

The match started off on high pace with Makore’s long range freekick in the 4th minute forced the goalkeeper in to a full stretch save. Banyana Banyana responded quickly when they went in to attack three minutes later but the Zimbabwean back line cleared the ball.

The hosts soon went under pressure and South Africa created a chance in the 24th minute which forced Dzingirai in to a desperate save. Kgatlana blew two unmissable opportunities moments before half time but she finally got it right in the additional time to sent her team in to the lead before half time.

Zimbabwe resumed second half action piling pressure on their opponents in search for an equaliser. They finally got a break through in the 73rd minute when Makore headed home Sheila Makoto’s cross from the left side.

The equaliser came at a good time, causing panick to Banyana Banyana.

However tables turned in the last minutes of the game when Smeda’s header was adjudged to have crossed the line by the far side assistant referee. Initially, the effort hit the upright bar and Dzingai cleared it but it had already crossed the line.

The game ended with South Africa winning their fourth COSAFA trophy.

Meanwhile Makore was tournament’s top goal scorer after netting ten goals while Dzingai was named Goalkeeper Of The Tournament.