By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Copper Queens assistant coach Charles Haalubono is confident Zambia will deliver an improved performance against Uganda as they look to overturn a 2-1 aggregate deficit and keep their Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification hopes alive.
Zambia host Uganda’s Crested Cranes in Tuesday’s decisive return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, with Haalubono revealing that the technical bench has worked to address the shortcomings exposed in the first-leg defeat in Kampala.
The assistant coach admitted that Zambia struggled to find their rhythm in the opening half of the first encounter but believes the improvement after the break provides grounds for optimism ahead of the return fixture.
“We didn’t play well, more especially in the first half. Second half, we picked up our performance,” Haalubono said.
Haalubono identified the team’s pressing as a key area requiring improvement, explaining that Zambia allowed Uganda too much time and space to advance the ball and create attacking opportunities.
“If you watched the match, you saw, more especially up front there, we were not so sharp in the pressing. We gave them too much space to drive the ball going forward without pressure, and they were able to find their teammates,” he said.
The assistant coach said the players had reviewed the match analysis and understood what needed to change, stressing the importance of greater intensity and a collective effort to disrupt Uganda’s build-up play.
“We have talked to them, and we did the analysis which all the players have seen. We gave them too much space when they had the ball. That’s why I said the attitude was not good. So we have worked on it. We have to press and work extra hard as we play,” he added.
Despite the need for tactical adjustments, Haalubono indicated that Zambia would not make wholesale changes to the team, pointing to the improved second-half display in Kampala as evidence of the players’ ability to respond.
“We cannot make a lot of changes, you know, because looking at the game, the way we played in the second half, I think we showed great improvement,” he said.
Home advantage offers hope
Haalubono believes playing in familiar surroundings at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, coupled with the backing of the home crowd, could provide the Copper Queens with the extra motivation needed to overturn the deficit.
The coach expressed confidence that Zambia would perform better in Ndola, where the players are accustomed to the playing surface.
“I’m so sure the team will perform better because this is our home ground. We are used to this pitch, and having the home support will give us an extra mile,” Haalubono said.
Although Uganda hold the advantage after winning the first leg 2-1, Haalubono believes Zambia can replicate that result on home soil if the players raise their performance levels and approach the contest with the required determination.
“Yes, they have an advantage, but they beat us at their home ground, which we are able to do even here. And we have our home ground, which we are used to playing from. So we’ll work extra hard,” he said.
The assistant coach also emphasised the significance of Olympic qualification, saying the players understand what is at stake and are determined to keep Zambia’s campaign alive.
“Like the captain Barbra said, we can’t afford to miss these Olympics, so we’ll do our best. It’s important for us to qualify,” he added.
The Copper Queens face Uganda’s Crested Cranes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 hours Zambian time.
Zambia must overturn their 2-1 first-leg deficit to advance in the qualifying campaign and maintain their pursuit of a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
