Uganda and Zambia U20 Women National Teams played to a one-all draw on Saturday in the first leg of the third qualification round to the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
In the game played at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, Uganda’s skipper Agnes Nabukenya opened the scoring in the first half but the Young Copper Queens rallied back through Edith Phiri midway through the second half.
With both teams earning comfortable victories in the second round (Uganda eliminated Namibia 5-0 on aggregate while Zambia ejected Burundi 4-1), this level was always going to be tough and it eventually turned out to be on thw pitch.
It was Nabukenya who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with her powerful strike just outside the are going into the back of the net.
A cross from the left met Martha Babirye in the box who teed up Nabukenya to powerfully curl home to the delight of the fans.
In the second half, Zambia after making several changes returned a better side and indeed their comstant inroads paid off.
The efforts yielded dividends a minute to thw hour mark when Phiri connected home from close distance.
Uganda stepped up efforts in a bid to regain the lead. Babirye failed to capitalize on a blunder by the Zambia goalkeeper and blasted the ball into the side net.
The other chance fell to Nabukenya with her ferocious strike from a free kick ricocheting off the crossbar.
Despite all these efforts, Zambia defended resiliently to force a draw.
The two teams will face on the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Zambia with the winner on aggregate progressing to the fourth round where either Ghana or South Africa awaits.