Rwanda has qualified for the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

After stopping Zimbabwe 2-1 in the first leg few days ago, Rwanda followed it up with a goalless draw in the return leg played on Wednesday in Kigali Pele Stadium.

Coach Andre Cassa Mbungo’s team will now prepare to face Nigeria in the second round.

South Sudan who have a 5-0 advantage over Djibouti will return to action against the same side on Friday in the second leg as they look destined to book a place in the second round.

The second round of the qualifiers will be played in September 2025 with Ethiopia facing Kenya, and Tanzania battling Angola in some of the matches. Uganda will take on Namibia, while Burundi battle Zambia in some of the other matches.

Four teams will qualify to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland.

South Sudan and Rwanda have registered wins in the first leg ties in the first round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers 2026.

Nyamam Makuac netted a brace as South Sudan defeated Djibouti 5-0 at the Juba National Stadium.

Ludia Maika and Joan Adong had given the home side an early lead, and Makuac made sure they went into recess leading 3-0. After the break Makuac increased South Sudan’s lead, and Monica Nakamu made it 5-0.

In Kigali, Rwanda stopped Zimbabwe 2-1 in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Darlene Ishmwe gave Rwanda the lead after only 3 minutes, but Bethel Kondo leveled matters after 18 minutes. Five minutes into the second half Scholastique Gikundiro made it 2-1 for Rwanda.

Zimbabwe continued to push forward in search of more goals, but the home side defended well.

The two teams from the CECAFA Zone will book places in the second round if they go past the return legs to be played in the next few days. In-case Rwanda qualify they will face Nigeria, while South Sudan will face the winner between Malawi and the Central African Republic.

The second round of the qualifiers will be played in September this year with Ethiopia facing Kenya, and Tanzania battling Angola in some of the matches. Uganda will take on Namibia, while Burundi battle Zambia in some of the other matches.

Four teams will qualify to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to take place in Poland.

The national U-20 women’s team of Burundi have failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Captained by Olga Niyomwungere, the Burundi team suffered a 1-0 defeat away to the Falconents of Nigeria in the return leg of the last phase of the qualifier played on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

After a goalless first half where Burundi missed some good scoring chances, Esther Ajakaye netted the lone goal for the hosts after 79 minutes.

Nigeria qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on a 2-0 goal aggregate.

Later on Sunday another team from the CECAFA Zone Ethiopia also failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Ethiopia defeated Morocco 1-0 at the at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, but bowed out 2-1 on aggregate.

The other two slots will be known later today when Cameroon and Egypt, together with Ghana and Senegal face-off in their return legs.

Africa will be represented by four teams at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2024 that will take place in Colombia.

Burundi and Ethiopia are the two teams from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the last round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

After losing the first leg 3-2 away to DR Congo, the Burundi team won the second leg 1-0 in a match played at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda on Friday.

Annociatte Nshimirimana scored after 7 minutes and the goal was important to help Burundi qualify for the fourth stage on an away goals rule after the two teams tied 3-3.

Ethiopia also stormed the last round of the qualifiers in style after seeing off Mali 4-0 in the return leg played on Sunday. Emush Daniel netted a brace, while Meadin Sahilu and Messay Temesgen also scored to ensure Ethiopia qualified on a 6-0 goal aggregate.

The other teams from the CECAFA Zone Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were eliminated. Uganda who lost the first leg 1-0 to Senegal, settled for a 1-1 draw on Saturday to bow out on a 1-2 goal aggregate.

Kenya suffered a 3-2 defeat to Cameroon to fall out on a 2-6 goal aggregate, while Tanzania suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Nigeria and bowed out 2-3 on aggregate.

The final round of the qualifiers for the CECAFA teams will now see Ethiopia face Morocco, while Burundi take on Nigeria.

Four teams will qualify to represent Africa at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia as representatives of the African continent.