Beaten in the first leg in Kampala, Zambia turned the tie against Uganda around (4-1 in Ndola, 5-3 on aggregate) thanks to a brace from captain and forward Barbra Banda. The Copper Queens will face Ghana in the third round of the Olympic qualifiers.
A response was needed, and it was Barbra Banda who delivered it. Beaten 2-1 in Kampala in the first leg, the Zambia women’s national team emphatically reversed the trend in the return leg, winning 4-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, according to FIFA. A victory that seals the Copper Queens’ qualification for the third round of the qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic tournament, 5-3 on aggregate.
The captain and forward, who plays for Orlando Pride, scored two of Zambia’s four goals. Natasha Nanyangwe and Eneless Phiri, a forward and a midfielder respectively, claimed the other two goals of the match.
A captain in saviour mode
The script could have fallen flat. Beaten on Ugandan soil, Zambia arrived in Ndola with a one-goal deficit. The response was emphatic: four goals scored, only one conceded. Barbra Banda carried the team with a decisive brace.
Behind Barbra Banda, Natasha Nanyangwe and Eneless Phiri each found the back of the net. According to FIFA, the Copper Queens book their place in the third round after this return leg.
Tokyo, Paris… and after?
Zambia’s presence at the Olympic Games is now a regular occurrence. The country took part in the last two editions, Tokyo 2020 and then Paris 2024, and remains in the running for a third consecutive tournament, again according to FIFA. Zambia, however, are not qualified for the next Women’s World Cup in 2027, which heightens the stakes of the Olympic campaign.
To support this run, the Zambian federation (FAZ) has confirmed it will maintain a special bonus intended to encourage the team after this turnaround, FIFA reports.
Ghana, the next opponents
In the third round, Zambia will meet Ghana. Ghana comfortably dominated Mauritius in the second round, according to FIFA and Afrik-Foot. The clash between the two national teams promises to be one of the most competitive duels in the African bracket, judging by Afrik-Foot.
The matches are set for the international window from 23 February to 6 March 2027, FIFA specifies. It is a two-legged tie, with a third consecutive Olympic appearance in sight.