Crested Cranes beat Zambia 2-1 in Olympic qualifier

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Uganda’s Crested Cranes came from behind to beat Zambia’s Copper Queens 2-1 in the first leg of the second-round qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo on October 8, 2026.

Zambia took an early lead in the fifth minute through Prisca Chilufya, putting Uganda on the back foot in the opening stages.

The Crested Cranes responded in the 33rd minute when Agnes Nabukenya curled a free-kick into the net to level the score.

Uganda completed the comeback in the 57th minute. Sylvia Kabene headed home from Zaina Nandede’s cross to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

The victory gives Uganda an advantage heading into the second leg as the Crested Cranes continue their bid to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The match was also the first competitive outing for newly appointed head coach Asefa Firew Hailegebreal.​

 

[Tentacle]

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Uganda’s Crested Cranes came from behind to beat Zambia’s Copper Queens 2-1 in the first leg of the second-round qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo on October 8, 2026.

Zambia took an early lead in the fifth minute through Prisca Chilufya, putting Uganda on the back foot in the opening stages.

The Crested Cranes responded in the 33rd minute when Agnes Nabukenya curled a free-kick into the net to level the score.

Uganda completed the comeback in the 57th minute. Sylvia Kabene headed home from Zaina Nandede’s cross to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

The victory gives Uganda an advantage heading into the second leg as the Crested Cranes continue their bid to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The match was also the first competitive outing for newly appointed head coach Asefa Firew Hailegebreal.​

Update:Zambia eliminate Uganda from 2028 Olympic qualifiers.

Zambia’s Copper Queens have advanced to the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers after defeating Uganda’s Crested Cranes 4-1 in the second leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday night.

The result saw Zambia overturn Uganda’s 2-1 first-leg advantage to progress 5-3 on aggregate, ending the Crested Cranes’ hopes of advancing to the next round.

Natasha Nanyangwe opened the scoring for Zambia in the eighth minute, rising highest to head home an Enelesi Phiri corner. However, Uganda responded through Sylvia Kabene, who used her pace to beat the defenders before slotting the ball into the net.

Phiri restored Zambia’s lead in the 20th minute with a well-taken shot from a Prisca Chilufya cross, giving the Copper Queens a 2-1 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Barbra Banda extended Zambia’s lead after beating Uganda goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi to the ball and finishing from close range.

Banda completed her brace six minutes from full-time, converting from point-blank range after being set up by Rachel Kundananji to seal the 4-1 victory.

The Copper Queens will now face Ghana in the third round in February 2027 as they continue their campaign to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.