Uganda and Ethiopia have settled for a 2-2 draw in first leg of the second round in the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

The two teams failed to find the net in the first half at the St. Marys Stadium in Kitende, but pushed forward to score four goals after the interval.

Striker Hadijah Nandago gave the hosts the lead after 68 minutes with a  well taken shot that Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Abeba Ajibo Afa failed to stop.

The Ethiopian team tried to settle down and pushed forward to try and get a goal, but it was Uganda that scored the second after 72 minutes through Nandago again.

Later Emush Daniel Dandamo pulled a goal back for Ethiopia after 77 minutes.

After 90 minutes substitute Semira Kedir Ahimed leveled matters for Ethiopia with a long shot that Uganda’s goalkeeper Sharon Kaidu failed to punch out of danger.

Ayub Khalifa, Uganda’s head coach said his team did not defend well after taking a two goal lead. “We need to go back to the drawing board and prepare for the return leg,” added Khalifa.

Ethiopia’s coach Endalkachew Chaka praised his team for fighting back to secure a draw.

On Sunday another CECAFA team Tanzania will be in action as they host Botswana at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

Three teams will qualify to represent Africa at the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup in India.

CECAFA members Eritrea and Djibouti have withdrawn their teams from the second round stage of the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

Eritrea was meant to face Cameroon in the second round, while Burundi was set to play Djibouti.

However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has communicated that Eritrea and Djibouti have withdrawn together with other teams Namibia, Guinea-Bissau and Sao-Tome.

Kenya has been disqualified because they are suspended by the world Football governing body, FIFA.

While Burundi qualify for the next stage without kicking a ball, three other teams from the CECAFA region will be in the first leg encounters this weekend. Tanzania will host Botswana in a match to be played at the Amaan Stadium in Tanzania, while Uganda host Ethiopia at the St. Marys Stadium, Kitende.

Twelve teams will qualify for the next round, before the final phase which will see three teams qualify from Africa to play at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.