The second round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup set to take place in Morocco later this year, kicks off this weekend with intense matchups across the continent. With only four African slots available at the global tournament, teams will battle fiercely to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The first-leg matches begin on Saturday, March 8, featuring several exciting encounters. Cameroon hosts Ethiopia, while Tanzania faces Zambia. One of the most anticipated clashes will see South Africa take on Nigeria—a showdown between two nations with a strong history in international women’s football. Other key matchups include Sierra Leone vs. Guinea, Benin vs. DR Congo, and Uganda vs. Kenya in an East African derby. Algeria and Botswana will also go head-to-head in a north-south showdown, while Côte d’Ivoire takes on Burundi in another thrilling fixture.
The decisive second-leg matches will be played between March 12 and 16, determining which teams advance to the next round. Nigeria, a five-time U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier, will look to maintain its dominance against South Africa, while Cameroon hopes to use its experience to overcome Ethiopia. Zambia, a rising force in women’s football, will aim to secure victory against a fast-improving Tanzanian side. Meanwhile, Algeria must stay cautious against an unpredictable Botswana team, and DR Congo will seek to upset Benin.
With national pride and World Cup dreams on the line, the next few days promise high-intensity action across the continent. Below is the full schedule of the second round of African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Match Schedule – Second Round of African Qualifiers
First-Leg Matches
Saturday, March 8, 2025 (local time)
14:00
- South Africa vs Nigeria
- Uganda vs Kenya
- Botswana vs Algeria
17:00
- Sierra Leone vs Guinea
19:00
- Cameroon vs Ethiopia
Sunday, March 9, 2025 (local time)
14:00
- Tanzania vs Zambia
16:00
- Benin vs DR Congo
17:00
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Burundi
Second-Leg Matches
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 (local time)
17:00
- Burundi vs Côte d’Ivoire
Saturday, March 15, 2025 (local time)
13:00
- Ethiopia vs Cameroon
15:00
- Zambia vs Tanzania
16:00
- Nigeria vs South Africa
17:00
- Guinea vs Sierra Leone
Sunday, March 16, 2025 (local time)
13:00
- Kenya vs Uganda
15:30
- DR Congo vs Benin
21:00
- Algeria vs Botswana
With qualification at stake, teams will leave nothing to chance as they fight for a spot in Morocco 2025.
