FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Three slots up for grabs in Africa

Three countries will represent Africa at this years FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.

Unlike the other confederations, the three African participants at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 later this year will not be determined in a continental championship.

Instead, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opted for qualification to be based on head-to-head ties, with the three winners of the second round picking up a ticket to the global finals.

Morocco vs Ghana

Ghana can qualify for their fifth U-17 women’s finals on the trot after just two matches.

The Black Maidens, who advanced into the second round after their opponents Sierra Leone pulled out ahead of the first round, will face Morocco, who also had a walkover in the previous tie with Mali pulling out.

Black Maidens in Morocco for 2016 FIFA World Cup qualifier pic.twitter.com/SAOcKxUDw9

— Ghana FA (@ghanafaofficial) March 10, 2016

Ghana is the only African country – to date – to advance to the semi-finals of the global competition.

Nigeria vs South Africa

Like Ghana, Nigeria have appeared at all four previous World Cup finals, but unlike their west African rivals, they have already had the opportunity of playing in the qualifying tournament this time around.

Teams warming up ahead of the match #bantwana vs Flamingos Banyana_Banyana madamenamhla pic.twitter.com/bRIObF1LlE

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) March 12, 2016

The Flamingoes secured a comfortable 9-0 aggregate victory against Namibia in the first round.

Off to the stadium # match day against thenff Flamingos in a FIFAWWC U17 qualifier Banyana_Banyana madamenamhla pic.twitter.com/Kd6ukqNnnF

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) March 12, 2016

Bala Nikyu’s team will face South Africa in the second round on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium, with the coach saying he was confident that his side would beat Bantwana, who are the third team in the play-off yet to play a game.

It's game day. Let's come support our Flamingos as they aim to soar over SAFA_net Bantwana. #SoarFlamingos #U17WWCQ pic.twitter.com/b9VFkx5zF6

— The NFF (thenff) March 12, 2016

Cameroon vs Egypt

The final second round clash sees powerhouse in women’s football, Cameroon take on Egypt, as neither side has previously qualified for the finals.

A 9-0 thrashing of Djibouti in the first round would suggest that the Egyptians are serious about their endeavours to reach Jordan. Unlike Egypt, the Cameroonian side were pushed all the way in their first round clash by Ethiopia. Cameroon goalkeeper Carole Mimboe proved to be the match winner, as she saved twice to set up a 5-4 victory and a place in the play-off rounds.

Birwe:“Nous sommes confiants,en même temps impatients
d’être au jourJ. Les filles sont motivées”#LionnesU17 #CMREGY pic.twitter.com/z68jTx3MHC

— Fecafoot-Officiel (@FecafootOfficie) March 11, 2016

Cameroon’s coach Minkero Birwe tipped the strength of his team after the match, saying: “The Ethiopians are brilliant technically, but we maintained focus and came out stronger in the second half.”

The FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup starts in Jordan on September 30.