By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Uganda have taken a valuable step towards the next round of the 2028 Olympic Women’s Football qualifiers after coming from behind to beat Zambia 2-1 in Kampala on Thursday.
The Copper Queens made the perfect start when Prisca Chilufya opened the scoring in the sixth minute, giving Zambia an early advantage at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
But Uganda refused to panic. The Crested Cranes gradually grew into the game and were rewarded in the 34th minute when Agness Nabukenya found the equaliser to send the two sides into the break level.
Uganda continued to put Zambia under pressure after the restart and completed the comeback in the 58th minute through Sylvia Kabene. The forward’s goal turned the game around and gave the hosts a 2-1 lead they managed to protect until the final whistle.
It is an important result for Uganda, especially against a Zambia side that has established itself among Africa’s leading women’s teams and qualified for the last two Olympic Games. The Copper Queens, however, still have 90 minutes to fight back.
The return leg will be played on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, with Zambia needing to overturn the one-goal deficit to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive. CAF has officially listed the second leg for 18:00 GMT.
For Uganda, the task is now simple: protect their advantage in Ndola and finish the job on Zambian soil. For the Copper Queens, it is a must-win night if they are to remain on course for a third consecutive Olympic appearance.
FT | Uganda 2-1 Zambia
Agness Nabukenya 34’, Sylvia Kabene 58’ | Prisca Chilufya 6’
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