Nigeria and Ghana are on the brink of earning qualification tickets to the India 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup™ following their final round, first leg victories over Ethiopia and Morocco respectively on Friday.
In Addis Ababa, Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 1-0 to boost their qualification chances, while Ghana pipped Morocco 2-0 in Accra to put one hand on the ticket. Ethiopia's Kumneger Kebede, Emush Daniel and Bethelem Germa troubled the Nigerians defence in bid to keep their hopes alive but Nigeria goalkeeper Faith Omilana was rock solid.
It was Opeyemi Ajakaye's 36th minute strike the Flamingos required to clinch the first leg victory over the Ethiopians at the Abebe Bikila Stadium. The FC Robo Queens loanee has now scored six goals in five matches as Bankole Olowookere's side earned their five clean sheets in the qualifying tournament.
After first leg win, the Nigerians will aim to complete their qualification bid when they welcome the East Africans for the second leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on June 4, 2022.
Elsewhere, in Accra, goals from Stella Nyamekye and Nancy Amoh helped the Black Maidens secure a comfortable lead over the Moroccans in the first leg encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Nyamekye handed the West Africans a first half lead after just 18 minutes of action before Nancy Amoh struck in the 65th minute to ensure the Ghanaians inched closer to a qualification ticket.
The first leg 2-0 result puts Baba Nuhu's side in the driving seat ahead of the second leg showdown with the North Africans at the Prince Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat on June 4, 2022.
