Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda Won Olympic Qualifiers
Three African nations secured vital victories in the second round of the 2028 Olympic Games qualification process.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Soccer
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Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda all claimed wins during the latest round of the 2028 CAF Women Olympic Games qualifiers. These matches represent critical steps for teams aiming to secure one of the two available spots for Africa in the upcoming Olympic tournament.
Why it matters
Qualifying for the Olympic Games is a major milestone for African women soccer, with only two teams slated to advance to the Los Angeles tournament. Success in these early rounds dictates which nations remain in contention for international representation.
Kenya dominated Seychelles 11-0, while Uganda overcame Zambia 2-1 and Ethiopia secured a 1-0 win against Rwanda. A total of two African teams will ultimately secure entry to the 2028 Olympic Games.
The players
CAF
The Confederation of African Football is the governing body for association football in Africa and organizes the qualification process for international tournaments.
Lydia Uzayisenga
A player for Rwanda who scored an own goal during the match against Ethiopia.
Valerie Nekesa
A Kenyan player who scored two goals during her team's victory against Seychelles.
Prisca Chilufya
A Zambian player who scored the opening goal in her team's match against Uganda.
Sylvia Kabene
A Ugandan player who scored the winning goal in her team's match against Zambia.
The details
Kenya saw a prolific offensive performance with Valerie Nekesa, Elizabeth Muteshi, Airin Madalina, Mercy Airo, and Elizabeth Mideva each netting two goals, alongside one from Martha Amunyolete. Uganda secured their win through late goals by Agnes Nabukenya and Sylvia Kabene, while Ethiopia benefited from a decisive own goal by Rwanda's Lydia Uzayisenga.
Timeline
Wednesday: Ethiopia defeated Rwanda in Kigali.
Thursday: Kenya and Uganda played their qualifier matches.
Friday: Tanzania plays away to Botswana.
Season Trajectory
These results significantly alter the bracket for the 2028 CAF Women's Olympic Games qualifiers, thinning the field as teams compete for limited continental berths. The performance of these squads sets the stage for the final qualification stages leading toward the Los Angeles Olympics.
The 11-0 margin for Kenya significantly bolsters their goal difference, providing a massive advantage for tie-breaking scenarios in the tournament standings. Conversely, Zambia must now look to recover from their 2-1 deficit in the return leg to remain in the playoff hunt.
The takeaway
These matches highlight the high stakes of international qualification where every goal and defensive error impacts a team's Olympic dreams. Teams that effectively manage their goal scoring and defensive discipline in the first leg are best positioned to navigate the path to the 2028 Games.
Further reading
For more updates on regional tournaments, visit the Soccer section.
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