Not so if you peruse all the pages in the COSAFA Cup history books, whose next edition kicks off in neighbouring Zambia early next month. The Warriors have dominated the tournament in a way that even former continental champions, South Africa and Zambia, would need years to emulate.
So, for those who have been wondering if anything good could come out of this group of perennial chokers, you have been answered with this rich COSAFA Cup history. Despite a slow start by the local boys, who had to watch with envy as northern neighbour, Zambia, strode to two titles on the trot, Zimbabwe have now won the regional competition four times, the most number by any team since the competition was launched in 1997.
The Warriors triumphed in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009. Their nearest competitors – Angola, South Africa and Zambia, have each won the tournament three times to complete the regional powerhouse log. The Zambians however, dominate the number of finals reached, with four runners-up positions that make it seven finals reached, when considering the other three occasions in which they emerged victors.
Zimbabwe’s most frequent competitor in the tournament have been Swaziland, with five games in which the Warriors have won three times, drawn once and lost once. This includes a 5-0 rout of the hosts, in 2003, where former Warriors captain, Peter Ndlovu scored a hat-trick that resulted in the game being abandoned due to crowd. Other notable features of that game were that Richard Choruma, brought in as a second half substitute by coach Rahman Gumbo, did not kick the ball, as the game was abandoned soon as he came in.
Ndlovu donated his Man-of-the-match prize money towards the operation of former Dynamos left back, Francis Madziva, who however, could not recover from the knee injury he sustained on national duty.
The Warriors have won a historic 27 times out of their 39 matches in the competition, where they have scored the highest number of goals with 65. The 39 games they share with Zambia are also the most by any side in the history of the tournament, which is meant to develop talent in the region.
Should they win this edition, the Warriors would have equaled the record held by inaugural winners Zambia and southern neighbour, South Africa, who remain the only sides to have achieved back to back title. The Zambians won the 1997 and 1998 editions. South Africa did that in 2007 and 2008.
Post published in: Football
I enjoyed reading your article and found it to be informative and to the point. Thank you for not rambling on and on just to fill the page. RajaPoker88.com Agen Texas Poker Dan Domino Online Indonesia Terpercaya
I am not certain where you’re getting your information, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for fantastic info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.