Agnes Nabukenya has urged Ugandan fans to rally behind the Crested Cranes ahead of their crucial 2028 Olympic qualifier against Zambia.
Uganda’s midfielder Agnes Nabukenya has called on football supporters to become the Crested Cranes’ “12th player” when Uganda host Zambia in a crucial African qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Crested Cranes welcome Zambia’s Copper Queens to Hamz Stadium in Kampala on October 8, 2026, before travelling to Lusaka for the return leg on October 13. The winner over the two legs will advance to the third qualifying round.
With preparations intensifying, Nabukenya believes a strong home crowd could provide an important lift against a Zambia team featuring some of Africa’s most recognisable women’s footballers.
“The team is ready, but they need you in the stands,” Nabukenya said as she urged Ugandans to turn up and support the national team.
Uganda vs Zambia Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | Los Angeles 2028 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers |
| Round | Second round |
| First leg | Uganda vs Zambia |
| Date | October 8, 2026 |
| Venue | Hamz Stadium, Kampala |
| Second leg | Zambia vs Uganda |
| Date | October 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Lusaka, Zambia |
Uganda received a bye from the opening qualifying round before being paired with Zambia. Africa’s qualification process will eventually produce two representatives for the women’s Olympic football tournament in Los Angeles.
Nabukenya Calls for Strong Home Support
Nabukenya’s message is centred on ensuring Uganda makes maximum use of home advantage before travelling to Zambia.
The Kawempe Muslim Ladies midfielder said the squad has worked hard in training and is concentrating on both sides of the game – creating goalscoring opportunities while remaining disciplined defensively.
She particularly wants Ugandan supporters behind the players at Hamz Stadium.
According to Nabukenya, a vocal crowd can provide extra energy as Uganda attempt to establish an advantage before the difficult return fixture in Lusaka.
That support could be significant because Zambia arrive with considerable international experience.
Major Early Test for New Coach Asefa
The tie also represents an immediate examination for newly appointed Uganda women’s national team head coach Firew Hailegebreal Asefa.
FUFA officially appointed the Ethiopian tactician on October 2, with his tenure running until 2029. He takes responsibility for Uganda’s senior, U20, and U17 women’s national teams.
Asefa already knows Ugandan women’s football well.
He previously coached Kampala Queens, now KCCA Women, and guided the club to the FUFA Women Super League and FUFA Women’s Cup titles. He also previously worked with Ethiopia’s senior and junior women’s national teams.
He succeeds Sheryl Botes Ulanda, meaning the Zambia tie arrives almost immediately after a major change in Uganda’s technical leadership.
Zambia Bring Major Attacking Threat
Uganda will have to manage a Zambia team possessing significant international pedigree.
The Copper Queens have participated in the previous two Olympic Games, while their squad has been spearheaded by internationally recognised forwards Barbara Banda and Rachael Kundananji.
That attacking quality helps explain why Nabukenya emphasised both scoring and defending during Uganda’s preparations.
The Crested Cranes cannot afford to become overly adventurous in Kampala and leave spaces for Zambia to exploit. At the same time, establishing an advantage at home could significantly improve Uganda’s position before the second leg.
It creates a difficult balancing act for Asefa in his first major assignment.
Nabukenya Knows Zambia Well
Nabukenya herself has recent experience of succeeding against Zambia.
She captained Uganda’s U20 side during the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign earlier in 2026.
In the first leg in Kampala, Nabukenya opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after Mary Kantono provided the assist. Zambia later equalised through Edith Phiri to secure a 1-1 draw.
Uganda then travelled to Ndola and secured a 1-0 victory, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
That experience should give Nabukenya confidence heading into the senior encounter.
Several players involved at youth level have also been included in the senior provisional squad, providing a group that already understands the intensity associated with facing Zambia.
Uganda Have Positive Memories Against Zambia
The senior Crested Cranes can also draw encouragement from previous meetings.
Uganda recorded a memorable 5-0 friendly victory over Zambia in Marrakech in June 2022 during preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Viola Nambi scored twice, while Ritah Kivumbi, Fauzia Najjemba and Fazila Ikwaput were also on target.
Uganda had earlier beaten Zambia 1-0 at the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship, while Zambia responded with a 1-0 victory at the same competition in 2021.
Those results provide historical encouragement, although they cannot determine the outcome of the upcoming qualifier.
Strong Competition Within Uganda Squad
The provisional Uganda squad contains 34 players, giving Asefa options across the pitch.
Goalkeeping choices include Vanessa Edith Karungi and Ruth Aturo, while Shadia Nankya, Aisha Nantongo and Zainah Nandede are among the defensive options.
Nabukenya joins Phiona Nabbumba, Joan Nabirye, Margret Kunihira and Peace Muduwa among a sizeable midfield group.
Further forward, Uganda can call upon experienced attacker Fazila Ikwaput, alongside Sylvia Kabene, Karin Muya, Mary Kantono, Jesca Namanda and Joanitah Ainembabazi.
Asefa’s challenge will be reducing those options into a balanced side capable of dealing with Zambia’s attacking threat without sacrificing Uganda’s own ability to create chances.
What Victory Would Mean for Uganda
The significance extends beyond one result at Hamz Stadium.
Uganda are attempting to move closer to a first appearance in the women’s Olympic football tournament.
The winner of the two-legged Uganda-Zambia tie progresses to the third round of African qualification.
Uganda’s previous Olympic qualifying campaign ended against Cameroon. The Crested Cranes won the first leg 2-0 but were eliminated 3-2 on aggregate after losing the return fixture following extra time.
That experience highlights why both legs against Zambia will matter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will Uganda play Zambia?
The Crested Cranes host Zambia on October 8, 2026, before travelling to Lusaka for the second leg on October 13.
Where will Uganda vs Zambia be played?
The first leg will take place at Hamz Stadium in Kampala.
What competition are Uganda and Zambia playing in?
They are competing in the African qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games women’s football tournament.
Who is the new Crested Cranes coach?
FUFA appointed Ethiopian coach Firew Hailegebreal Asefa as head coach of Uganda’s national women’s teams until 2029.
Has Agnes Nabukenya played against Zambia before?
Yes. Nabukenya captained Uganda’s U20 side against Zambia earlier in 2026 and scored in the 1-1 first-leg draw in Kampala. Uganda eventually progressed 2-1 on aggregate.
Conclusion
Nabukenya’s appeal adds another dimension to a fixture that already carries major significance for Ugandan women’s football.
Zambia bring Olympic experience and elite attacking talent, but Uganda also have reasons for confidence, including positive previous results against the Copper Queens and the recent U20 qualifying success.
For new coach Asefa, the challenge is immediate: organise a competitive team, contain Zambia’s attacking quality and give Uganda something to protect when the tie moves to Lusaka.
For supporters, Nabukenya’s message is much simpler. Uganda needs their 12th player in the stands at Hamz Stadium on October 8.
