A pulsating showdown awaits as Ethiopia’s national women’s football team hosts Uganda’s Crested Cranes in the decisive second leg of the first round of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 Qualifiers.
This eagerly anticipated fixture is set for Wednesday at 3:00 PM (EAT) at Addis Ababa’s iconic Abebe Bikila Stadium.
This fixture is a winner-takes-all encounter, with the victorious team progressing to the final qualification round. Awaiting the aggregate winner is a challenging tie against either Equatorial Guinea or Kenya for a coveted spot in the continental tournament.
Uganda enters the contest with an upper hand, having secured a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg at Hamz Stadium, Kampala, four days ago. Late strikes from Zaina Namuleme and Fazila Ikwaput proved decisive, giving the Crested Cranes an important cushion ahead of the return leg.
However, the closely contested nature of the initial clash suggests that Ethiopia will pose a formidable challenge at home.
Past encounters between these two sides add intrigue to an already high-stakes fixture. Uganda edged Ethiopia in the 2022 WAFCON qualifiers, advancing on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 aggregate draw.
Ethiopia will be seeking redemption, drawing confidence from their ability to rise to big occasions in front of their passionate supporters.
Both teams have prepared meticulously for this crucial fixture, with their respective camps exuding confidence.
Crested Cranes head coach Sheryl Botes emphasized the importance of tactical discipline and execution. “We have finalized everything today. The players are in great condition, and we need to tighten up in all departments to deny the opponent any opportunities.
Today’s training focused on perfecting our approach, repeating what we’ve been practicing to ensure flawless execution,” she remarked.
Crested Cranes captain Viola Nambi echoed her coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s focus and adaptability. “The mood in camp is fantastic. Our primary goal is to beat Ethiopia and secure qualification. Adjusting to the weather was initially a challenge, but we arrived early to acclimatize. We have refined our set pieces and are now ready to deliver.”
On the opposing side, Ethiopia Lucy’s head coach Yoseph Geberwold remains optimistic about his team’s chances of overturning the deficit. “Conceding late in the first game was unfortunate, but this tie is far from over. Playing in front of our home crowd, we are fully committed to fighting for qualification. We strongly believe in our ability to achieve this goal.”
Ethiopia captain Loza Abera reinforced the team’s determination, confidently stating, “Losing the first leg doesn’t mean we are out. We have another 90 minutes, and we are certain that we will win and qualify.”
With both teams possessing exceptional quality and a deep desire to advance, this clash promises to be an electrifying encounter. Uganda aims to consolidate their advantage and book a spot in the final qualification round, while Ethiopia is determined to produce a stunning comeback in front of their fervent supporters.
