2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers | Saturday February 7
- Uganda 1-1 Zambia
Uganda and Zambia’s U20 women’s teams settled for a tense 1–1 draw on Saturday in the first leg of the third round of qualification for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba.
Both sides came in confident after dominant second-round wins, and the contest lived up to expectations, evenly matched and fiercely fought.
Uganda struck first midway through the opening half, with captain Agnes Nabukenya once again leading by example.
In the 23rd minute, Martha Babirye collected a cross from the left and calmly teed up Nabukenya, who unleashed a curling effort from outside the box to ignite the home crowd.
Zambia emerged stronger after the break, using fresh legs to tilt the game in their favour. Their pressure paid off just before the hour mark when Edith Phiri reacted quickest inside the area to slot home the equaliser.
Uganda responded with urgency, pushing for a winner. Babirye nearly restored the lead after pouncing on a rare goalkeeping mistake but found only the side netting.
Nabukenya then came inches away from a second with a fierce free kick that rattled the crossbar.
Zambia, however, held their nerve, defending resolutely to secure a valuable away draw.
The tie now moves to Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for the return leg, with the winner over two legs advancing to the fourth qualification round, where Ghana or South Africa await.
