Uganda’s Crested Cranes produced a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Zambia’s Copper Queens 2–1 in the first leg of the second round of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers.
The result gives Uganda a slender advantage ahead of Tuesday’s decisive return leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, where the Crested Cranes will seek to protect their lead and advance to the third qualification round.
Zambia struck first through Prisca Chilufya, who finished from close range in the sixth minute after captain Barbara Banda created the opening.
Banda did the hard work on the right flank before picking out Chilufya at the far post, leaving the forward with a straightforward finish into an unguarded net.
The early setback, however, did little to unsettle Uganda, who gradually took control of the contest and began creating openings of their own.
Sylvia Kabene was presented with an early opportunity but could not bring the ball under control, while Agnes Nabukenya came even closer in the 22nd minute when she raced through on goal and beat goalkeeper Hazel Nali, only for her effort to rebound off the upright.
Nabukenya would not be denied for long.
Three minutes after the half-hour mark, the Ugandan midfielder produced a powerful free-kick from just outside the penalty area, leaving Nali with little chance as Uganda restored parity.
The Crested Cranes finished the opening half strongly and carried that momentum into the second period, eventually completing the turnaround through Kabene.
The forward struck in the 57th minute, rising to meet a well-delivered cross and heading home from close range to send the home crowd into celebration.
The move began with Auki Kigogo quickly playing a corner to Zaina Nandede, who delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the danger area for Kabene to attack.
Uganda thereafter managed the advantage to secure a valuable home victory, although the one-goal margin leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return encounter.
The aggregate winner will progress to the third qualification round, where they will meet the winner of the tie between Ghana and Mauritius.
