KAMPALA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambia women's national football team captain Barbra Banda said Wednesday that her team was determined to beat host Uganda in the first leg of the second round of African qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride in the United States, told Xinhua that while Zambia respected Uganda, the team had come to Kampala aiming to secure a win.
"We respect any team playing at home. But we know our potential and our mission is to win the two legs and qualify for the next round because we are determined to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games," said Banda, who also scored for Zambia at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Uganda's Crested Cranes will host Zambia in the first leg on Oct. 8 at Hamz Stadium in Kampala, with the return leg scheduled for Oct. 13 in Lusaka.
Iree Lungu, who plays for Sichuan in China, also told Xinhua that Zambia was targeting a win in Uganda. "We need to make sure we use our chances and win the away match before hosting the return leg," added Lungu.
Asefa Firew Hailegebreal, Uganda's newly appointed head coach, said that although Zambia was an experienced team, his players were ready to put in a strong performance.
"I have only been with the team for a few days since I was appointed, but we have worked hard, and we are ready to go," added the former head coach of the Ethiopia national team.
The winner of the two-legged tie between Uganda and Zambia will advance to the next round, where it will face the winner of the tie between Mauritius and Ghana.
Other teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) zone competing in the second round of qualifying are Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Two teams will qualify to represent Africa in the women's football tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. ■
