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.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC are the champions of the 2024/2025 Ethiopia Women’s Premier League.

Coach Heye Gizaw Birhanu’s team were crowned champions for the fifth straight season on Sunday.

In their last Premier League match Commercial Bank of Ethiopia WFC stopped Adama City WFC 5-0 with Rediet Asersahgn and Nigest Bekele each scoring a brace.

Senaf Wakuma who emerged top scorer of the League with 22 goals was also on the score sheet.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia finished unbeaten with 62 points, while Hawasa WFC and Sidama Coffee WFC finished second and third respectively.

Birhanu will have the opportunity to guide his team in the CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifiers as they try to defend the title they won last year in Addis Ababa.

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.