Copper Queens coach Charles 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 to keep alive their hopes of reaching a third consecutive Olympic Games.
The Copper Queens will face Ghana in the next round after the West Africans eased past Mauritius 10-0 on aggregate.
Haalubono was pleased with his side’s response following their disappointing 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Kampala, saying the performance in Ndola demonstrated the team’s determination to reach the Olympics.
“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.
Zambia made an encouraging start and took the lead in the eighth minute when Natasha Nanyangwe converted a corner delivered by Eneless Phiri.
Uganda responded six minutes later through Sylvia Kabene, who capitalised on a defensive mistake by Lushomo Mweemba before beating goalkeeper Hazel Nali to restore parity.
Phiri put Zambia back in front in the 20th minute, finishing first-time from a pass by Prisca Chilufya. Her effort struck the upright before finding the back of the net to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Barbra Banda had an opportunity to extend Zambia’s advantage before the break but was denied by Uganda goalkeeper Vanessa Karungi after a mistake by captain Shadia Nankya.
The Copper Queens went into half-time leading 2-1 on the night, but still needed another goal to draw level on aggregate.
Banda delivered six minutes into the second half, capitalising on a goalkeeping error to win possession and slot the ball into the net, putting Zambia in control of the tie.
Haalubono later introduced United States-based forward Racheal Kundananji for Chilufya as the hosts continued to push for more goals.
The substitution paid dividends in the 83rd minute when Kundananji broke down the right flank before squaring the ball for Banda, who completed her brace to seal a 4-1 victory on the night and a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
Uganda assistant coach Collins Ahumuza acknowledged that her side struggled to cope with Zambia, particularly in the first half, and admitted that the Crested Cranes had failed to execute their game plan.
“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.
“But we are a developing country in women’s football. We will keep pushing.”
Zambia will now turn their attention to Ghana, with a place in the next round of the Olympic qualifying campaign at stake as they continue their pursuit of a third successive appearance at the Games.
