Zambia’s Copper Queens have kept their dream of reaching a third consecutive Olympic Games alive after defeating Uganda’s Crested Cranes 4-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The emphatic victory secured Zambia’s place in the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers, with the team progressing on a 5-3 aggregate score. After suffering a disappointing result in the first leg in Kampala, the Copper Queens responded with a determined performance in front of their home supporters. The Zambian side showed greater attacking intent, improved coordination and the ability to take advantage of crucial mistakes by their opponents. The result also gave the team renewed confidence as they prepare for a difficult third-round encounter against Ghana.
The Copper Queens entered the second leg knowing they needed a strong performance to overturn the deficit and remain in contention for a place at the 2028 Olympics. Playing at home in Ndola gave Zambia an opportunity to respond to the pressure of the tie and demonstrate their determination to continue their Olympic journey. The team started brightly and immediately put Uganda under pressure with quick attacks and purposeful movement in the final third. Their early approach paid off in the eighth minute when Natasha Nanyangwe opened the scoring. The defender converted a corner delivered by Eneless Phiri, giving Zambia an important early advantage and encouraging the home crowd to believe that a comeback was possible.
Uganda, however, responded quickly and showed that they were not prepared to surrender their advantage without a fight. Six minutes after Zambia scored, Sylivia Kabene found the net for the Crested Cranes to level the match at 1-1. Kabene, who had also scored in the first leg in Kampala, capitalised on a defensive mistake by Zambia’s Lushomo Mweemba. She dispossessed the Zambian defender before beating goalkeeper Hazel Nali with a composed finish. The equaliser briefly put Zambia under pressure, but the Copper Queens maintained their attacking approach and continued looking for opportunities to regain the lead.
Zambia restored their advantage in the 20th minute through Eneless Phiri, who finished a well-worked attacking move. The midfielder connected first-time with a pass from Prisca Chilufya and directed her effort towards goal. The ball struck the upright before crossing the line, giving Zambia a 2-1 lead on the day. Phiri’s goal was an important moment in the contest because it rewarded the hosts for their positive start and increased the pressure on Uganda’s defence. Zambia continued to create opportunities as the first half progressed, although they were unable to add another goal before the interval.
Barbra Banda came close to extending Zambia’s lead before half-time after Uganda captain Shadia Nankya made a costly mistake. Banda took advantage of the opening but could not beat goalkeeper Vanessa Karungi, who produced an important save to keep Uganda in the contest. The missed opportunity meant Zambia went into the break leading 2-1, with more work required to secure qualification. Although the Copper Queens had controlled important periods of the first half, Uganda remained capable of threatening their opponents whenever they found space. The hosts therefore needed to maintain their concentration and convert their attacking pressure into more goals after the restart.
Banda made sure Zambia did not have to wait long for their third goal. Six minutes into the second half, the Zambian captain capitalised on another mistake by the Ugandan goalkeeper to increase the lead to 3-1. She won possession after the error and calmly guided the ball into the net, putting the Copper Queens in a stronger position in the match and across the two legs. The goal demonstrated Banda’s ability to remain alert in dangerous situations and punish defensive lapses. It also gave Zambia greater control of the tie, as Uganda now faced the challenge of finding a way back into the contest while protecting their defence against further attacks.
With Zambia continuing to press for another goal, coach Charles Haalubono introduced Racheal Kundananji for Prisca Chilufya. The substitution added a fresh attacking option and helped the Copper Queens maintain their threat in the closing stages. Kundananji made a decisive contribution in the 83rd minute when she broke down the right wing and delivered a pass across the penalty area. Banda was well positioned to meet the ball and finish the move, scoring her second goal of the match and Zambia’s fourth of the evening. The goal sealed a 4-1 victory on the day and confirmed Zambia’s 5-3 aggregate triumph over Uganda.
The result was particularly significant because it revived Zambia’s ambition to qualify for a third consecutive Olympic Games. The Copper Queens have established themselves as an important force in African women’s football, and another Olympic appearance would represent a major achievement for the team and the country. Their victory over Uganda highlighted the value of resilience, effective finishing and the ability to respond after a difficult first leg. The players also benefited from the support of the home crowd at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where the atmosphere provided encouragement throughout the decisive encounter. By turning the tie around, Zambia demonstrated that they remain determined to compete for a place among the teams that will contest the women’s football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Speaking after the match, Haalubono praised his players for their improved performance and their commitment to the team’s Olympic ambitions. The coach acknowledged that Zambia had not performed well in the first leg but said the response in Ndola showed the players were determined to qualify. He expressed confidence that the team could continue dreaming of an Olympic place if they maintained the same level of performance. His comments reflected the importance of the victory beyond the final score, particularly after the disappointment of the opening encounter. For the coaching staff and players, the result provided an opportunity to rebuild momentum and approach the next round with renewed belief.
Uganda assistant coach Collins Ahumuza acknowledged Zambia’s quality while admitting that the Crested Cranes had struggled to manage the match. Ahumuza said the Copper Queens played with the confidence expected of a home team and received valuable support from their fans. However, she also pointed to Uganda’s own shortcomings, particularly the inability to retain possession during the first half. Ball control has been an important part of Uganda’s approach, but the team struggled to use that strength effectively against Zambia’s pressure. Ahumuza described Uganda as a developing force in women’s football and emphasised the need for the team to continue working towards improvement.
For Uganda, the defeat ended this particular Olympic qualifying campaign, but the experience offered important lessons for the development of the Crested Cranes. The team showed attacking potential through Kabene’s goal, yet defensive mistakes and difficulties maintaining possession proved costly over the two legs. Against a side with Zambia’s attacking quality, such errors can quickly change the direction of a match. Improving defensive organisation, decision-making under pressure and control of possession will be important areas for Uganda as they continue building their women’s national team. Their assistant coach’s comments suggested that the team intends to use the experience as motivation for future competitions.
Zambia will now turn their attention to Ghana, who secured qualification for the third round after defeating Mauritius 10-0 on aggregate. The West African side progressed convincingly and will present a different challenge for the Copper Queens as the Olympic qualifying competition becomes more demanding. Zambia will need to maintain the attacking sharpness they displayed against Uganda while improving their defensive concentration. The performance of Banda, Phiri, Nanyangwe and Kundananji will be important, although the entire squad will need to contribute if the team hopes to advance further. The encounter with Ghana will therefore test Zambia’s consistency, tactical discipline and ability to perform against strong opposition over two legs.
The upcoming third-round tie also carries wider significance for Zambian women’s football. A third consecutive Olympic appearance would strengthen the Copper Queens’ reputation as one of Africa’s leading women’s national teams and provide another opportunity to compete on the international stage. Reaching that goal will require careful preparation, strong teamwork and the ability to manage pressure in decisive moments. The 4-1 win over Uganda showed that Zambia can recover from setbacks and deliver when qualification is at stake. However, the team must treat the victory as a foundation for further progress rather than a guarantee of success against Ghana.
Zambia’s 4-1 victory over Uganda at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was a crucial step in the Copper Queens’ pursuit of qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Goals from Natasha Nanyangwe, Eneless Phiri and a brace from Barbra Banda secured a 5-3 aggregate victory and sent the team into the third round of the qualifiers. The performance reflected the players’ determination to respond to their first-leg disappointment and keep their Olympic ambitions alive. With Ghana standing between them and the next stage of the competition, Zambia must now build on their improved display and address any weaknesses exposed during the tie. The Copper Queens have renewed their hopes of making history with a third consecutive Olympic appearance, and their next challenge will determine how far that ambition can go.