- Feb 16, 2026
- 33
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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.