By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Against all odds, Liberia created an upset as Senegal got a stunning sucker punch and were bundled out of the race for 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals after hosts thrashed the Senegalese 2-0 in Monrovia on Sunday in the second leg of the African qualifiers match to overturn a 1-3 first leg deficit.
The Senegalese were the favourites to qualify for the final round going into the second leg tie at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, but forward Louise Brown got Liberia in front in added time of the first half while attacker Dalphine Glao made it two goals for her country in the 54th minute to tie the match 3-3 at the end of 90th minute.
The Senegalese bench was rattled by their hosts as they came out forcefully to get something out of the encounter but fell short as there were to be no further goals but the Liberian girls scraped through to the final round of the qualifiers on the away-goal rule, and will now host Nigeria in the first leg on Saturday, June 8 with the return leg Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja a week later.
With the conclusion of the third round matches, Nigeria will face Liberia; Burundi and Kenya will clash while Zambia and Morocco will battle for the three African tickets for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final in Dominican Republic.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final African qualifiers final round:
Burundi Vs Kenya
Zambia Vs Morocco
Liberia Vs Nigeria
