A series of high-scoring encounters has marked the opening stage of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with several teams taking early control of their ties.
The first-leg matches, played between 10 and 14 April, have seen a mix of dominant victories and closely contested fixtures, leaving some nations well placed to progress while others face an uphill task in the return legs.
One of the standout performances came in Niamey on Tuesday, where Guinea secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Niger at the General Seyni Kountché Stadium. The result puts Guinea in a strong position ahead of the second leg, having scored five goals away from home.
Elsewhere, Cameroon delivered one of the most emphatic results of the round, beating Algeria 5-1. The margin of victory underlines Cameroon’s attacking strength and leaves their opponents with a significant deficit to overturn.
Tanzania also impressed in a tightly contested match, edging Botswana 3-2 in a game that produced five goals and showcased the competitive nature of the qualifiers. Burkina Faso, meanwhile, recorded a solid 3-1 win over Benin to take a clear advantage into the next fixture.
Across the continent, other matches were more evenly balanced. Tunisia and Senegal played out a 1-1 draw, leaving their tie finely poised, while Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire failed to find the net in a goalless encounter.
Several away teams secured important victories. Burundi defeated Malawi 2-1, Ethiopia beat South Sudan 2-0, Uganda overcame Zimbabwe by the same scoreline, and Kenya claimed a 2-1 win against Namibia. Ghana also impressed on the road, beating Togo 2-0 to strengthen their chances of progression.
Following Ghana’s victory, the team’s supporters expressed their enthusiasm on social media, with the Ghana Women’s National Teams account stating: “The ever-passionate Ghanaian supporters’ union, we heard your cheers loud and clear. Thank you for the tremendous support on match day 👏🏾#BlackMaidens, victory! 🇬🇭#ShineBlackMaidens✨.”
With most first-leg fixtures now completed, attention will soon turn to the decisive return matches, where teams will look to confirm their places in the next round or attempt comebacks.
The only remaining match of this stage will see Rwanda host Zambia on 17 April at the Pele Stadium in Kigali. That fixture will complete the first round of qualifiers as teams continue their pursuit of a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
