Hosts Ethiopia have defeated Burundi 2-1 in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifier.

Lydia Lyasu netted a first brace to give Ethiopia a 2-0 lead at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

After recess Burundi pulled a goal back through Anita Ndikumana.

On Saturday Tanzania suffered a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in a match played at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

Uganda and Kenya settled for a 1-1 draw in a match played on Friday at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium in Kampala.

The winner between Ethiopia and Burundi will face the winner between Zambia and DR Congo in the third round, while the winner between Uganda and Kenya faces the winner between Tanzania and South Africa.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.

CECAFA teams Uganda and Kenya have settled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifier.

The hosts Uganda took the lead after 13 minutes with Shadia Nabirye scoring at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium.

After a well by Immaculate Acen, Nabirye was quick to rebound after Kenyan goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo had parried back the ball.

But the Kenyan did not give up and continued to attack at the Ugandan goal.

After recess Kenya’s technical bench made changes bringing Emily Adhiambo and Gaudencia Maloba to replace Fleviah Khatenje and Ivy Atieno.

Adhiambo later leveled matters for Kenya with a long shot taken from far outside the box after 61 minutes.

The two teams tried to create more scoring opportunities, but failed to find the goals.

The Uganda Teen Cranes coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, said that her team created some decent scoring opportunities, but where not sharp in finishing. “We need to go back to the drawing board and prepare well for the return leg,” said Botes.

Action continues on Saturday with Tanzania hosting South Africa, while Ethiopia will face Burundi on Sunday.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.

Ethiopia and Tanzania have joined the three other teams from the CECAFA Zone into the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Ethiopian team that picked a 2-0 win against South Sudan in Juba a week ago in the first leg, humbled their opponents 6-0 in the return leg played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Mihret Ayele netted a hat-trick, while Liyan Daniel picked a brace, and Sirya Teshome also scored one goal to ensure Ethiopia qualified on an 8-0 goal aggregate and will face Burundi at the next stage.

Serengeti Girls of Tanzania also silenced Botswana 3-0 in the second leg played at the Azam Complex on Sunday.

Bahati Steven netted a brace, while Harrier Juma also got her name on the score sheet to ensure Tanzania qualified on a 6-2 goal aggregate.

Tanzania will next face South Africa, while Uganda take on Kenya in the second round of the qualifiers. Rwanda who lost the first leg 2-0 to Zambia in Kigali few days ago will play the second leg on April 22.

The second round matches will be played between the period May 22-31^st. Four teams from the African continent will qualify to play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco.

CECAFA teams Uganda, Kenya and Burundi have advanced to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Uganda Teen Cranes qualified on a 6-1 goal aggregate after defeating Zimbabwe 4-1 in the return leg of the first round match played at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium on Saturday.

Brendah Nassaka and Immaculate Acen gave Uganda a 2-0 goal lead after 34 minutes.

With the clock ticking away to half time Giovanna Aketogwanga netted the third goal after 43 minutes, but the visitors also pulled one back through Shantel Gwenhamo.

In the second half Retty Oseko Morra ensured she got here name on the score sheet to make it 4-1 for Uganda after 85 minutes.

At the Ulinzi Sports Complex, hosts Kenya thrashed Namibia 5-0 to qualify for the next stage on a 7-1 goal aggregate.

Brenda Achieng netted a hat-trick, while Emily Adhiambo and Elizabeth Opiya also got their names on the score sheet.

Burundi also eliminated another team from the COSAFA Zone seeing off Malawi 2-1 in the return leg played in Bujumbura on Saturday. Burundi qualified on a 4-2 goal aggregate. Kerene Nshizahabona and Louange Kezimana netted two first half goals for Burundi.

On Friday Rwanda lost 2-0 to Zambia in the first leg played in Kigali. Action continues on Sunday with Ethiopia hosting South Sudan, while Tanzania battle Botswana in second leg ties.

Four teams from the African continent will qualify to play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco.