Zambia’s Copper Queens suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Uganda’s Crested Cranes in the first leg of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers, leaving their hopes of reaching a third consecutive Olympic Games hanging on a strong response in the return fixture.
The Copper Queens surrendered an early lead to lose Thursday’s encounter at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in Kampala, giving Uganda an important advantage ahead of the decisive second leg scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zambia made a promising start, with captain Barbra Banda setting up Prisca Chilufya to score in the opening minutes. Banda used her strength and attacking movement to create space in the Ugandan defence before Chilufya finished from close range, putting the visitors in front.
The Copper Queens had an opportunity to extend their advantage when Banda released Racheal Kundananji inside the penalty area, but her effort was blocked as Zambia looked to take control of the match.
Uganda gradually grew into the contest and began putting the Zambian defence under pressure. Their persistence paid off when Agness Nabukenya scored from a free-kick to bring the hosts level before half-time.
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The Crested Cranes returned for the second half with renewed determination and completed their comeback in the 58th minute when Sylvia Kabene headed home following a short-corner routine, leaving Zambia trailing 2-1.
The Copper Queens pushed for an equaliser, with substitute Enelesi Phiri coming close when her free-kick struck the crossbar. Despite their late efforts, Zambia could not find a second goal, allowing Uganda to secure victory on home soil.
After the match, interim head coach Charles Haalubono acknowledged that the team had not delivered the result they wanted, pointing to Zambia’s struggles to retain possession, particularly in the first half.
“This is not the result we wanted but it has happened,” Haalubono said, adding that the team needed to show greater hunger and determination in the return fixture. He expressed confidence that the Copper Queens could produce a better performance when they return home.
The defeat means Zambia must now regroup quickly and address the mistakes that allowed Uganda to recover from an early setback. With the second leg to be played in Ndola, the Copper Queens will have the opportunity to use home support to their advantage as they attempt to keep their Olympic dream alive.
The task, however, will require a more clinical performance in front of goal, improved ball retention and greater defensive concentration. Uganda have demonstrated that they can punish lapses, and Zambia will need to approach the return fixture with urgency from the opening whistle.
The Copper Queens are seeking to qualify for their third consecutive Olympic Games after appearing at Tokyo 2020, held in 2021, and Paris 2024. Progress in the current qualifying campaign would keep that historic ambition within reach.
Attention now turns to Ndola, where Zambia will be under pressure to overturn the one-goal deficit. A victory by two goals would send the Copper Queens through without a penalty shootout, while a one-goal win would leave the tie level on aggregate and require a penalty shootout to determine who advances.
For the Copper Queens, the message is clear: the defeat in Kampala has made the road to Los Angeles more difficult, but qualification remains possible. Their response on October 13 will determine whether Zambia can keep its Olympic ambitions alive.
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