Uganda will face Zambia in a decisive tie as the race to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games begins to take shape.
The draw for the African qualifiers, conducted by the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday in Cairo, handed the Crested Cranes a tough second round opponent in continental powerhouse Zambia.
The two sides will meet over two legs between October 5 and 13, 2026, with the winner on aggregate advancing to the third round.
There, they will face either Ghana or the winner between Mauritius and Djibouti.
For Uganda, the task is clear but demanding. Zambia bring experience, having qualified for the last two Olympic Games in 2020 and 2024.
The Crested Cranes, still chasing a first-ever Olympic appearance, must rise to the occasion to keep that dream alive.
The memory of the previous qualifiers remains fresh. Uganda fell 3-2 on aggregate to Cameroon, a narrow exit that underlined how close they have come before.
The qualification campaign will be played over five rounds, with only two African teams earning places at the Los Angeles Games, set for July 11 to 29, 2028.
Elsewhere, the draw produced several notable fixtures, including Tunisia against Senegal and DR Congo facing Côte d’Ivoire.
Elsewhere, the draw produced several interesting ties across the continent.
Tunisia will face Senegal, DR Congo take on Côte d’Ivoire, while Nigeria await the winner between Sudan and Comoros.
South Africa will meet either South Sudan or Madagascar, and there will also be regional interest in Rwanda’s clash with Ethiopia and Kenya’s tie against Seychelles.
