Uganda made a winning start to the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers with a 2-1 comeback victory over Zambia in the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Thursday.
The result gave Crested Cranes Head Coach Firew Hailegebreal Asefa a winning start to his tenure as Uganda recovered from an early setback to take a narrow advantage into the return leg.
Zambia took the lead in the sixth minute when Prisca Chilufya converted from close range after Barbra Banda’s cut-back found her unmarked inside the penalty area.
Uganda responded by gradually taking control and creating scoring opportunities. Fazila Ikwaput tested Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali in the 20th minute, while Sylvia Kabene struck the woodwork eight minutes later after being played through by Agnes Nabukenya.
The equaliser arrived in the 34th minute when Nabukenya unleashed a powerful free-kick from outside the penalty area, beating Nali to bring Uganda back into the contest.
The Crested Cranes continued to push forward before half-time, but the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Uganda resumed with attacking intent and nearly took the lead in the 48th minute when Phiona Nabbumba released Ikwaput through on goal, only for Nali to turn her effort behind for a corner.
Kabene went close again in the 57th minute after finding herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but her effort went narrowly wide.
The forward made no mistake a minute later, rising highest to head home Zainah Nandende’s delivery from the right flank and put Uganda ahead.
The Crested Cranes managed the game well in the closing stages, maintaining possession and limiting Zambia’s opportunities. Asefa made his first changes in the 84th minute, bringing on Muduwa Peace and Nabulime Jamilah for Ikwaput and Nandende respectively.
Uganda will travel to Ndola for the return leg on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, knowing a victory or draw will secure progress to the next round.
The winner on aggregate will face the aggregate winner between Ghana and Mauritius in the next round of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.
