Ethiopia stop Mali in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

Ethiopia picked a vital 2-0 win away to Mali on Saturday in the first leg of the third round in the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup qualifiers.

After a goalless first half, the hungry Ethiopian team came all out to score through Bethlehem Bekele and Emush Daniel to silence the home fans at the 26 Mars Stadium in Bamako.

While Ethiopia picked a win, all other CECAFA teams Uganda, Kenya and Burundi failed to register away wins.

In an earlier match played at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, the hosts DR Congo stopped Burundi 3-2. Grace Lubiku, Feza Kalomba and Jenovic Makila scored for the home side, while Rukia Bizimana netted the two goals for Burundi with one coming off a penalty.

Kenya suffered a 3-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde. Annie Engamembem netted a brace, while Naomie Eto was also on the score sheet.

At the Lat-Dior in Thiès the home side Senegal stopped Uganda 1-0 with Sokhna Pene scoring the lone goal after 45 minutes.

On Sunday Tanzania settled for a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in a match played at the Azam Complex in Chamazi. Ubamba Chioma Olise gave the visitors the lead after 57 minutes, but Asnath Ubamba leveled matters after 13 minutes.

Eight teams will qualify for the final round of the qualifiers. Four teams could qualify from this tournament for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia as representatives of the African continent.