… As Cameroon host Tanzania Sunday
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s junior women’s football team, Flamingos and Ghana’s Black Maidens are on the verge of qualification for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tagged India 2022 as they both recorded victories in the final round first leg ties on Friday.
While Nigeria pipped host, Ethiopia 1-0 at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa courtesy of
Opeyemi Ajakaiye’s 36th goal, Ghana defeated Morocco 2-0 with goals from Stella Nyamekye 18′ and Nancy Amoh 65′ to secure a comfortable lead at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With the heartwarming first leg results, the two West African countries are 90 minutes away from booking their tickets to India and except the unexpected happens in the return leg matches at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja and at the Prince Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat on June 4, 2022, Nigeria and Ghana are as good as making it to through to the tournament.
This is even as Coach Bankole Oloowokere tutored Nigerian team has not conceded one single goal in five matches with goalpoacher, Ajakaiye scoring sixth goals in five qualifying matches. She has scored double brace in two games.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s neighbours, Cameroon junior Lionesses will start their own quest for the third available African ticket to India tomorrow at Ahmadu Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde where they will clash with Tanzanian U-17 women’s team.
The crunchy match will be played at 2:30 pm local time while the return leg tie is slated for June 5 at Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar City, a day after Nigeria versus Ethiopia and Morocco versus Ghana return leg ties respectively.
The overall winners of the three crucial African qualifiers final round will automatically represent Africa in the global football tournament in India later this year.
