Copper Queens interim coach Charles Halubono has challenged his players to show more hunger and determination following their 2-1 defeat to Uganda in the first leg of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers. In a post-Match press conference in Kampala, Haalubono said the…

Copper Queens interim coach Charles Halubono has challenged his players to show more hunger and determination following their 2-1 defeat to Uganda in the first leg of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers.

In a post-Match press conference in Kampala, Haalubono said the Zambian side lost control of the game after taking the lead in the first half, allowing Uganda to fight back into the contest.

He says the team improved in the second half following tactical changes, particularly in ball possession and movement, but failed to create clear scoring opportunities.

Haalubono has also attributed part of the team’s performance to the artificial playing surface, saying the players are more accustomed to playing on natural grass.

He, however, remains hopeful that the Copper Queens can produce a better performance in the return leg as they seek to overturn the one-goal deficit.

Halubono says selection for the next match will be based on players’ determination and willingness to fight for the national team, rather than their names or backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Copper Queen’s captain Barbara Banda says the team will return to the drawing board to address its mistakes following the defeat to Uganda.

Banda says although the result was not what Zambia wanted, the team remains focused on the return leg, where it will seek to overturn the deficit.

She acknowledges that the match against Uganda was always going to be difficult but says the team must identify and correct its weaknesses ahead of the second leg.

Banda has also challenged senior players to fight for their places in the team following impressive performances by young players who came on as substitutes.

Zambia will host Uganda in the return leg of the Olympic qualifiers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 18:00 hours.