Zambia women’s interim Copper Queens coach Charles Haalubono has urged his players to show more hunger and determination after Zambia suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uganda in their opening match of the 2028 Olympics qualifiers in on Thursday in Kampala.
Reacting to the defeat during a post – match press conference, Haalubono said the team remained focused on its Olympic qualification dream. Haalubono emphasized the need for the players to match Uganda’s fighting spirit as they prepare for the second leg.
“We are in a competition; we want to qualify for the Olympics. We will play players who really want to play with that zeal. You saw how Uganda played; they were fighting for each and every ball. Us we lacked a bit so we have to work for a win. It doesn’t come so easy. We have to fight for it,” Haalubono said.
“Seeing what has happened today, we just have to play players with that hunger; with that will. It’s not about where you are coming from; it’s about the will to play for the country. We have to play players who really want to play for the country,” Haalubono said.
And Captain Barbra Banda admitted that the result was not what Zambia had hoped for but remained confident that the team could learn from the experience and improve in the return leg.
“It’s not the result we wanted but we had a great run for Uganda. We knew it was not going to be an easy game but we are looking forward; we have another leg in Zambia. We have to go back to the drawing board and see where we made some mistakes and definitely we need to correct in those areas,” Banda said.
Banda also praised the young players for showing determination when given their opportunity, saying their performances were creating competition within the squad. She challenged the senior players to raise their standards as the Copper Queens regroup and prepare for the return leg, where they will seek to overturn the deficit and keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.
The Copper Queens made a bright start at Hamz Stadium in Kampala and took thelead through Prisca Chilufya in the first five minutes. However, Agness Nabukenya levelled matters for the Crested Cranes with a free kick before Sylivia Kabene scored the winner in the 57th minute.
Zambia will now look to respond in the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on October 13, 2026 at 18h00.
