Crested Cranes Were Fantastic in Comeback Win Over Zambia in 2028 Olympic Qualifiers
Uganda’s football fans were as important as the Crested Cranes themselves as Uganda came from behind to beat Zambia 2-1 in the first leg of the first round of the 2028 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.
The Crested Cranes started shakily, with debutant Barbara Anomo struggling to settle in defence. That early instability cost Uganda after just six minutes when Zambian star Barbra Banda set up Prisca Chilufya for the opener.
Despite the early setback, the fans kept their expectations high, cheering the team from the first whistle. Their belief never wavered, and it gave the players – who they had last watched 18 months ago – the lift they needed to gain momentum.
With strong backing from the stands, the team grew into the game from the back. Goalkeeper Vanessa Kalungi and Anomo improved as the match progressed to become among the best performers on the day.
With momentum building, Sylvia Kabene came alive with her pace, while young star Agnes Nabukenya continued to impress, supported intelligently by Zaina Nandede at right-back.
Gradually, every player found their rhythm. Joan Nabirye and Phiona Nabumba took control in midfield and pushed Zambia onto the back foot. Kabene, Nabukenya, and Joan Ainembabazi all came close to finding the equalizer, but the breakthrough was yet to come.
Three minutes after the half-hour mark, Ainembabazi won a free-kick and Nabukenya unleashed a powerful effort that stretched Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Nali to her full length before flying into the top corner.
The Crested Cranes then limited Zambia’s freedom and took the 1-1 scoreline into half-time. After the restart, Fazila Ikwaput returned with more energy, while Kabene continued to stretch the Zambian defence with her pace.
Operating from the left flank, Kabene momentarily switched to the right, where she won a corner. Nandede delivered a well-executed cross that found Kabene unmarked in the penalty area, and she nodded in with a free header just before the hour mark.
In action Kabene Slyvia credit to Leirah Shamirah
Leading 2-1, the Crested Cranes held on until the final whistle, with Vanessa Kalungi, captain Shadia Nankya, and Auki Kigongo all playing their part before the return leg in Zambia on October 13.
Maltese-based forward Sylvia Kabene has now transferred her club form to the national team. She has scored three goals in five matches for Mgarr United’s senior team in the Assikura Women’s League in Malta, and also scored a hat-trick in one game for the U21 side.
On the other hand, the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers MVP Agnes Nabukenya proved her worth again with a beautiful free-kick, despite hitting the post with a one-on-one chance earlier.
With a one-goal advantage, Uganda will need to put in extra work to overcome Zambia in the second leg. The winner on aggregate will advance to face either Ghana or Mauritius in the next round.