Ghana’s Black Princesses, Nigeria and Senegal sealed their spots in the fifth of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Costa Rica 2022, after their home victories in the second leg and fourth round ties on Saturday.
Ghana swept past Uganda with a 5-0 win in Cape Coast, as Nigeria thrashed Cameroon 3-0 in Abuja, while Senegal needed a 5-4 penalty shoot-win to pip Morocco on the same day.
In Cape Coast, the Black Princesses took advantage of their home ground to ensure their progression, following a 2-1 first leg victory against Uganda in Entebbe two weeks ago.
Norway-bound youngster Evelyn Badu made an impactful return from her one-match suspension which saw her missed the initial fixture as she opened the floodgate of goals with her 22nd minute strike for the West Africans at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Four minutes later, Salamatu Abdulai struck to ensure the hosts finished the first half with a 2-0 lead over the North Africans.
After the restart, the Ugandans tried to bounce back but failed to convert their half-chances before substitute Rahama Jafaru compounded their woes, netting the third in the 82nd minute.
Doris Boaduwaa’s header extended the Ghanaians’ lead to four just six minutes later before she grabbed her second of the match inside additional time to wrap up the triumph.
Ghana’s victory spelt the end to Uganda’s qualification dream from the current qualification campaign as the Black Princesses will now slug it out with last standing CECAFA representatives Ethiopia, for a ticket to Costa Rica.
Nigeria U20 Women 2
Meanwhile, in Abuja, Nigeria claimed the bragging rights over the Cameroonians with a comprehensive victory to advance.
Previous Vincent set up Esther Onyenezide to open the scoring in the 20th minute before Vincent got her name on the scoresheet eight minutes from the half time break.
On return from recess, the young Lionesses came back alive in the contest, but Onyenezide struck again in the 72nd minute to seal the Central Africans’ elimination fate at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Elsewhere, Senegal forced the contest to a penalty shoot-out to see off favorites Morocco following a 2-2 aggregate result.
With a 1-1 first leg draw in Rabat, Malado Diallo’s effort in the 11th minute puts the West Africans in the driving seat at half time at Stade Lat-Dior. However, the visitors bounced back in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliser through Oumayma El Amarani three minutes into the half to drag the match into a penalty shootout.
After progressing via the spot, Senegal will battle two-time world vice champions Nigeria in an all-West African final round clash in March 2022 for a place at the global showpiece.
Two African representatives will emerge from the final round of the African qualifiers, with the first leg fixtures scheduled between March 10 to 12 and second leg ties for March 24 to 26.