Uganda's Crested Cranes Draw Zambia in 2028 Olympic Women's Qualifiers

Uganda’s national women’s football team, the Crested Cranes, has been drawn against Zambia’s Copper Queens in the second round of the CAF qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Both teams skipped the opening round, reserved for the six lowest-ranked African sides—Sudan, Mauritius, Djibouti, South Sudan, Madagascar, and Comoros—set for June 1-9. The winners of those ties will join 29 other nations, including Uganda and Zambia, for the second round from October 5-13.

Subsequent rounds are scheduled for February-March 2027 (third), October 2027 (fourth), and November-December 2027 (final), determining Africa’s Olympic representatives.

Zambia brings Olympic pedigree, having competed in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, plus the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Yet, they have never defeated Uganda’s senior team. Their last clash in 2022 saw Uganda triumph 5-0, with goals from Viola Nambi (2), Ritah Kivumbi, Fauzia Najjemba, and Fazila Ikwaput. Earlier, in 2018, Uganda won 1-0 via Tracy Jones Akiror.

Crested Cranes coach Sheryl Botes, whose contract ends soon after the Zambia tie, will aim to extend this historical edge. Goalkeeper Vanessa Edith Karungi recently voiced frustration over the team’s inactivity on social media, signaling readiness for action.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)