Advantaged Nigeria, Senegal Set For Qualification As Morocco Cruise in U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

Advantaged Nigeria, Senegal Set For Qualification As Morocco Cruise in U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

By Admin

The race to reach the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic intensified across Africa last weekend, with Nigeria, Senegal, and Morocco taking significant strides towards qualification.

In Bamako, Nigeria’s Flamingos seized the initiative against Burkina Faso with a crucial 1-1 away draw against a tough Burkina Faso side on Saturday in the first leg of the third and penultimate round of the African qualifiers for the 2024 World Cup.

Chidi Harmony’s 55th-minute strike handed them a 1-0 advantage heading into the return leg in Abuja on May 18th. 

However, Rainata Oubda’s late equaliser for the Etalons ensured the tie remained delicately poised at 1-1.

Senegal’s Lionesses also grabbed a two-goal cushion in their bid to reach the final round, overcoming Liberia 3-1 in Thiès. 

Marie Sarr’s quickfire double put the hosts in control before Mariama Faty extended their lead after the interval. 

Brown’s late penalty for Liberia provided a glimmer of hope ahead of the return fixture in Monrovia on May 19th, but Senegal will fancy their chances of progressing.

Meanwhile, in Berkane, Morocco’s Lionesses took a giant stride towards the next phase, thrashing Algeria 4-0 in a one-sided affair on Friday night.

Ines Aboucharif, Romaissa Ihssan, and Ouafae Bentahri were on target for the rampant Moroccans, who also benefitted from an Algerian own goal by Hannane Sehoul.

The comprehensive victory leaves Morocco firmly in the driving seat ahead of the second leg in Algiers on May 17th, as the North Africans seek to maintain their impressive record in the qualifiers.

With the return legs just around the corner, the three ties remain finely poised, setting the stage for more drama and intrigue as the continent’s brightest young female talents.

The countries to represent Africa for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be known at the end of the fourth and final round of qualifiers next month. 

The 2024 U17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be played in in the Dominican Republic from​October 16 to November 3 later this year.

Credit-CAF