Nigeria’s women national Under-20 team, the Falconets on Sunday forced their hosts Morocco to a 1-1 draw in their first leg second round qualifier for next year’s World Under-20 Women’s Championships.
The Morrocans went in front on 21 minutes courtesy of Nouhaila Sedki’s effort but the Falconets replied four minutes later through their experienced star Rasheedat Ajibade, her fifth goal of the qualifying campaign.
Despite further attempts by both sides, there were no more goals in the contest at the Ammar Boubakar Stadium, Sale as Nigeria take a vital away goal to the return leg in Benin City in a fortnight.
Nigeria’s game against Morocco was one of three first leg encounters decided across the African continent over the weekend.
At the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana, Princella Adubea was in terrific form as she inspired Ghana’s Black Princesses to a 5-0 hammering of Kenya.
The Ampem Darkoa Ladies star scored four times after Helena Obeng had opened scoring for the West Africans in the first half.
Ghana who have now scored five goals in each of their three qualification games so far will look to seal the deal in the return leg in Kenya.
The final game of the weekend produced some sort of upset as Burundi beat South Africa’s Basetsana 2-0 in Bujumbura.
One goal in each half for the Burundians set them on the road to a healthy advantage ahead of the return fixture in South Africa.
The round’s other game between Cameroon and Sierra Leone was cancelled after the Sierra Leoneans withdrew from the game.
Cameroon will now face the winner of the tie between Ghana and Kenya to determine one of Africa’s two representatives in next year’s tournament in France.
