Zimbabwe’s U20 women’s football team took to the field in Kigali on Monday, 12 May, with hopes high as they began their quest for a place in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. In what proved to be a tightly contested encounter, the Young Mighty Warriors were narrowly edged 2-1 by Rwanda in the first leg of the qualifier.
The match began in the worst possible fashion for Zimbabwe, with Rwanda striking early to take the lead within the opening two minutes. It was a tough blow, but the young women from Zimbabwe responded with character and resilience. In the 18th minute, Bethel Kondo delivered a beautifully struck free kick to level the score and ignite the Zimbabwean charge.
The first half closed at 1-1, with both sides creating chances but unable to break the deadlock again. In the second half, Zimbabwe once again found themselves caught off guard, conceding in the 50th minute. Despite a spirited fightback and five added minutes of extra time, the equaliser proved elusive, and the match ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
One standout moment was the debut appearance of Saliah Johnson, the US-based midfielder who added fresh energy and showed glimpses of her potential after joining the squad for this crucial fixture.
As the Young Mighty Warriors prepare for the second leg on Wednesday, 14 May, they will look to overturn the 2-1 aggregate deficit. With heart, talent, and belief, Zimbabwe’s future in this qualifier is far from over.
