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 head coach of Tanzania’s team Cutis Reid has praised the players for working hard and winning silver at the just concluded CAF Futsal Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Tanzania lost 3-2 to hosts Morocco in a well balanced final match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Wednesday evening.

Reid’s team scored two early goals through Anastazia Katunzi and Jamila Rajabu. But the hosts cheered on by the fans fought back to score through Doha El Madani, Drissia Korrych and Jasmine Demraoui.

“I am very proud of my girls because they showed determination and hard work from the first match till the final. We managed to show everyone that we can compete with the best,” added coach Reid.

The coach also praised Najiati Idrisa who was voted best goalkeeper of the competition. “Our goalkeeper performed well and carried the team. I am so proud of the girls because it’s also our first team as Tanzania to compete in a Futsal AFCON,” he added.

Tanzania started their campaign with a 4-4 Group C draw against Madagascar. They later returned to defeat Senegal 3-1 in their second match to qualify for the knock out stage where they stopped Cameroon 3-2 at the semi-final stage.

By reaching the final, both the Moroccan and Tanzanian teams secured their spots in the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Philippines later this year.

Tanzania have qualified for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 to take place in Philippines.

Under the watchful eyes of coach Curtis Reid, the Tanzanian team booked their spot after stopping Cameroon 3-2 in the first semi-final played on Monday at the on-going CAF Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

After a goalless first half, Tanzania returned strongly scoring thrice through Vaileth Nicholas Mwamakamba, Aisha Mnunka and Anastazia Katunzi, while Cameroon also netted two goals in a match played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

“We are very proud of this achievement which has come through hard work and team work,” said a happy Reid after the match. While Tanzania have already qualified for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025, they will also away the winner between Angola and Morocco who they will tussle it out in the CAF Women’s Futsal AFCON final.

Tanzania started their campaign with a 4-4 Group C draw against Madagascar. They later returned to defeat Senegal 3-1 in their second match to qualify for the knock out stage.

The inaugural CAF Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has attracted nine teams.

The Kenya Junior Starlets’ dream of qualifying for a second straight FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup ended on Friday night in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Hosts Cameroon defeated Kenya 3-1 in a return leg of the third round of the qualifiers in a match played at the Olembe Stadium. Cameroon qualified on a 4-1 goal aggregate.

Beatrice Avana gave the hosts the lead after 7 minutes, but Elizabeth Ochaka leveled matters for Kenya six minutes into the second half. The hosts added two more goals through Ange Tazanou and Tiwa Lys.

Cameroon joined other African teams Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025.

The last match between Benin and Zambia on Saturday will decide the fourth team to book the final place. Morocco have also qualified as hosts of the competition.