South Africa and Ghana made significant strides in their efforts to progress to the next round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The two nations could meet in the third phase after both registered wins in the first leg of their fixtures.
First up was Basetsana (South Africa U20 Women) when they thrashed Eswatini 5-0 away at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba on Friday, 19 September 2025.
JVW’s lethal striker Bonolo Mokoma gave the South Africans a 2-0 lead at the break with a brace ten minutes apart (24’ and 34’).
The feast of goals continued in the second half as Mavis Maiacane (62’), second half substitute Katlego Mohale (78’) and Zoe October (90’) also got in on the act.
This is a great win for Maud Khumalo’s side that still in search of their first appearance at a FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup – the only South African national team not to taste that high level of football.
The reverse fixture will take place in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga on Saturday, 27 September at a venue yet to be announced.
Ghana travelled to Sfax in Tunisia and returned home victorious with a 2-0 lead at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium thanks to a brace from Mercy Attobrah.
The West Africans will host the return leg on Sunday, 28 September 2025.
The overall winners in the two legs will meet in the third round set for February next year, while the fourth and final round is in May – four months before the start of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, which runs from 5-27 September 2026 in Poland
Twenty-four nations will feature in this tournament, including the hosts – and only four spots have been allocated for the African continent.
- CAF (Africa) – 4
- AFC (Asia) – 4
- CONCACAF (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) – 4
- CONMEBOL (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) – 4
- UEFA (Europe) – 6
- OFC (Oceania) – 2
Second Round Results:
| 1st leg | 2nd leg | |||
| Niger | Cameroon | 0-9 | 27 Sep | |
| Botswana | Mozambique | 2-0 | 27 Sep | |
| Ethiopia | Kenya | 1-1 | 28 Sep | |
| Tanzania | Angola | 4-0 | 27 Sep | |
| Tunisia | Ghana | 0-2 | 28 Sep | |
| Eswatini | South Africa | 0-5 | 27 Sep | |
| Uganda | Namibia | 3-0 | 22 Sep | |
| Burundi | Zambia | 1-2 | 27 Sep | |
| Ivory Coast | Morocco | 3-1 | 28 Sep | |
| Mali | DR Congo | 1-1 | 28 Sep | |
| Equatorial Guinea | Egypt | 1-0 | 26 Sep | |
| Benin | Guinea | 5-1 | 26 Sep | |
| Rwanda | Nigeria | 0-1 | 27 Sep | |
| Senegal | Algeria | 2-0 | 27 Spe | |
| Guinea-Bissau | w/o | Congo | w/o | w/o |
| South Sudan | Malawi | 23 Sept | 26 Sept |
In other results, Cameroon, Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Benin and Senegal also hold the advantage heading into the third round after winning their matches comfortably.
Guinea-Bissau has progressed to the next round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of Congo from the qualifiers, while South Sudan and Malawi will only play their first leg on Tuesday (23 September) with the full knowledge that the winner will face Guinea Bissau.
Third Round Fixtures:
By Matlhomola Morake
