Uganda’s women’s national football team, the Crested Cranes, have been knocked out of the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers following a heavy 4-1 defeat to Zambia’s Copper Queens in Ndola.

Zambia overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit from Kampala to advance 5-3 on aggregate. Barbra Banda scored twice in the second half to seal the victory, while Natasha Nanyangwe and Enelesi Phiri also found the net.

Sylvia Kabene scored Uganda’s only goal. The Crested Cranes, under new coach Asefa Firew Hailegebreal, struggled to contain Zambia’s attack after the break and made costly defensive errors.

Assistant coach Collins Ahumuza admitted the team failed to match Zambia’s quality. Uganda’s wait for a first appearance at the Olympic Games continues.