The Mighty Warriors, the Zimbabwean senior women’s soccer national squad, have been eliminated from the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers after losing 2-1 to Zambia in the final qualifying match.

Zambia are through on aggregate on away goals rule after it ended 2-2. Zimbabwe had won the first leg 1-0 in Zambia on Wednesday.

Having won the first leg Mighty Warriors needed at least a draw of any kind to progress to the finals and it all crumbled with 4 minutes left of the game as Zambia took a surprise lead from the hosts.

The loss eliminated Zimbabwe from the qualification series for Ghana 2018.

Zimbabwe were the first on the score sheet as Erina Jeke headed in a rebound from Rutendo Makore’s shot in optional time of the first half giving the host a 2-0 aggregate lead going to the breather.

Zambia found the equalizer 10 minutes after the break with the Zimbabwe defence caught napping and Helen Chanda all alone unmarked levelled the contest.

Zambia eventually found the equalizer on the 86th minute silencing an expectant crowd at Rufaro Stadium to seal off qualification.