KUNDANANJI: WE WILL NOT FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPICS
By Bola Mpira | October 11, 2026
Copper Queens forward Rachel Kundananji has vowed that Zambia will not allow the heartbreak of missing the FIFA Women’s World Cup to derail their quest for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Zambia face a must-win battle against Uganda in the second leg of the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Tuesday, 13 October, needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to keep their Olympic dream alive.
The Copper Queens fell to a narrow defeat in Kampala on Thursday despite taking an early lead through Prisca Chilufya. Uganda responded through a superb Agness Nabukenya free-kick before Sylvia Kabene netted the winner in the second half.
But Kundananji is confident Zambia will respond on home soil.
“We failed to qualify for the World Cup, but we are not failing to qualify for the Olympics. We are going to do our level best,” Kundananji declared.
The forward admitted the team was below par in the first leg but insists the squad has the quality and character to turn the tie around.
“I think we didn’t have a good game, knowing the quality we have in the team and what kind of Copper Queens we are compared to Uganda. They were not an easy side and gave us a tough game, but we still know each other, we still know what we want and what is at stake. We still have another chance on Tuesday,” she said.
Kundananji added that the team must approach the decider with belief and enjoy their football.
“Personally, I’m playing my game. I’m going to play how I play, be myself and just enjoy the game,” she said.
KUNDANANJI DEFENDS COACH, URGES TEAM UNITY
Kundananji has also called on the squad to remain united behind the technical bench at this crucial stage of the campaign.
She defended the coach, highlighting his long-term contribution to the growth of women’s football in Zambia.
“He’s a good coach. We’ve been with this coach for years.