• Zambia 4-1 Uganda [Aggregate: 5-3]

Uganda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games came to an end on Tuesday after the Crested Cranes suffered a 4-1 defeat to Zambia in the return leg of the second round of the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

The Copper Queens overturned Uganda’s first-leg advantage with a commanding performance at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to progress 5-3 on aggregate.

Barbara Banda, who was kept quiet in the first leg, proved decisive in the return encounter, scoring twice in the second half to steer Zambia into the next round.

Natasha Nanyangwe and Eneless Phiri put the hosts 2-0 ahead before the break, but Sylvia Kabene pulled one back for Uganda with an individual effort to keep the Crested Cranes in contention.

However, Banda’s second-half brace extinguished Uganda’s hopes of a comeback and sealed Zambia’s progression.

The Copper Queens will now face Ghana in the third qualifying round after the latter eliminated Mauritius 10-0 on aggregate.

Elsewhere, South Africa defeated Madagascar 3-0 in the return leg to advance 7-0 on aggregate, while Nigeria thrashed Comoros 5-0 to secure a 7-0 aggregate victory.

Ethiopia progressed after drawing 1-1 with Rwanda, having won the first leg 1-0, while Malawi eliminated Zimbabwe 7-0 on aggregate.