Copper Queens coach Charles ‘Soldier’ Haalubono says Zambia can continue dreaming of Olympic qualification after his side overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Uganda 4-1 in Ndola and advance to the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifiers.
Zambia secured a 5-3 aggregate victory over the Crested Cranes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday, keeping alive their hopes of securing a third consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games. The Copper Queens will now face Ghana in the next round after the West Africans progressed with a commanding 10-0 aggregate victory over Mauritius.
Haalubono was pleased with the response from his players following their disappointing 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Kampala. The coach said the performance in Ndola demonstrated the squad’s determination to remain in contention for a place at the 2028 Games.
“They really did well today. It shows they really want to qualify. We did not play well in the first leg, but today was good. If we keep playing like this, we can keep dreaming,” Haalubono said.
The Copper Queens made an encouraging start, taking the lead in the eighth minute when Natasha Nanyangwe rose to convert a corner delivered by Eneless Phiri. However, Uganda responded six minutes later through Sylvia Kabene, who capitalised on a defensive mistake by Lushomo Mweemba before beating goalkeeper Hazel Nali to bring the visitors level.
Zambia regained the lead in the 20th minute when Eneless Phiri finished first-time from a pass by Prisca Chilufya. Her effort struck the upright before crossing the line, putting the hosts 2-1 ahead and giving them renewed belief in their attempt to overturn the aggregate deficit.
Barbra Banda nearly extended Zambia’s advantage before half-time, but Uganda goalkeeper Vanessa Karungi denied the captain after a mistake by Crested Cranes captain Shadia Nankya. The Copper Queens went into the break leading on the night, although they still needed another goal to draw level on aggregate.
Banda delivered six minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a goalkeeping error to win possession and slot the ball into the net. The goal shifted the balance of the tie in Zambia’s favour and gave the hosts greater confidence as they continued searching for the decisive breakthrough.
Haalubono subsequently introduced United States-based forward Racheal Kundananji for Chilufya as Zambia sought to extend their advantage and secure progression without leaving the outcome in doubt.
The change proved decisive in the 83rd minute when Kundananji broke down the right flank before squaring the ball for Banda, who finished from close range to complete her brace. The goal sealed a 4-1 victory on the night and a 5-3 aggregate triumph for the Copper Queens.
Uganda assistant coach Collins Ahumuza acknowledged that her side struggled to cope with Zambia, particularly during the first half, and admitted that the Crested Cranes had failed to execute their game plan effectively.
“The Copper Queens are really a good side. They played like a team at home and were helped by their supporters. But we have ourselves to blame. We failed to manage the game in the first half and failed to hold the ball, which really is our strength,” Ahumuza said.
She added that Uganda would continue working to improve as the country develops its women’s football programme.
“But we are a developing country in women’s football. We will keep pushing,” she said.
For Zambia, the victory provides renewed momentum in their pursuit of Olympic qualification after the disappointment of the first leg. Haalubono’s side will now turn their attention to Ghana, with another challenging tie standing between the Copper Queens and the next stage of the qualifying campaign.
With a third consecutive Olympic appearance remaining the ambition, Zambia will be hoping to carry the confidence gained from their comeback against Uganda into the next round.
