Five CECAFA Zone teams advance in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

Five teams from the CECAFA Zone have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia have all made it through to the next round to be played next month.

The Tanzanian team who humbled Djibouti 5-0 in the first leg this time netted seven goals in the second leg played at the Azam Complex on October 11th.

Jamila Rajabu and Winifrida Gerald netted a brace each, while Diana Mnali, Zainabu Mohamed and Yasinta Mitoga also got their names on the score sheet to ensure Tanzania qualified on a 12-0 goal aggregate.

Burundi who played all the two matches in Pretoria ejected the hosts South Africa on an away goal’s rule after the first leg ended 1-1 and the second leg 2-2.

Chancelire Akimana gave Burundi the lead after 12 minutes at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. But the hosts leveled matters through Andrielle Mibe after 30 minutes. Annociate Nshimirimana restored Burundi’s lead in the 68th minutes, but Lindelwa Mabuza made it 2-2 four minutes later.

On Friday Uganda also defeated Mozambique 2-0 to qualify for the next stage on a 8-0 goal aggregate, while Kenya saw-off Angola 4-0 to sail through 10-1 on goal aggregate.

The Ethiopian team that battled to a 1-1 away draw to Equatorial Guinea in the first leg on Sunday managed to collect a 4-1 win against the same side in the return leg played at the Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa. Nigist Bekele scored a brace, while Mesay Temesegen and Emush Daniel also found the net for Ethiopia. Julia Etopa netted the lone goal for the visitors.

In the third round Ethiopia will now face Mali, Kenya will battle Cameroon, while Burundi take on DR Congo. Tanzania face an uphill task against Nigeria, and Uganda will face Senegal.

The best four teams after the fourth round will automatically qualify for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 to take place in Columbia.