Ndola
Uganda’s Crested Cranes will have to wait longer for another appearance at an international women’s football competition after their dream of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games came to an end in the first round of the qualifiers.
The Crested Cranes, under new coach Asefa Firew Hailegebreal, suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Copper Queens at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Tuesday night, bowing out 5-2 on aggregate. Zambia, led by their commanding captain, Barbra Banda, progressed to the next round, where they will face Ghana.
The Ugandan side was a shadow of the team that had come from a goal down to beat Zambia 2-1 in Kampala a week earlier. They once again conceded an early goal when Natasha Nanyangwe struck in the eighth minute, putting the visitors on the back foot.
However, the Crested Cranes appeared to regain momentum in the 14th minute when in-form striker Sylvia Kebene latched onto a long ball, disrupted Zambia’s defence and calmly finished to level the score.
Joan Nabirye battling Barbra Banda
Uganda failed to build on the equaliser and mount a sustained challenge, with defensive disorganisation and blunt attacking play limiting the effectiveness of Fazila Ikwaput and Joannitah Ainembabazi.
In midfield, Joan Nabirye and Phiona Nabumba were outmatched, while forward Agnes Nabukenya struggled to make an impact. When impressive winger Eneless Phiri restored Zambia’s lead in the 20th minute, Uganda’s task became even more difficult.
Sylivia Kabene scored again in Zambia but Uganda was eliminated 5-2 on aggregate
The Zambians maintained their attacking pressure, forcing the Ugandans into further errors. Banda’s goals in the 50th and 80th minutes underlined the gap between the two sides, as the Crested Cranes struggled to match the hosts’ quality.
Asefa, who replaced Sheryl Botes Ulanda shortly before the first leg after the South African coach had reportedly summoned the team before her dismissal, will now have to return to the drawing board and prepare a stronger side for upcoming competitions.
