Ghana and Senegal sealed their spots in the final round of African qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup after home victories in second leg ties on Saturday.
The Ghanaians swept past Uganda with a 5-0 win in Cape Coast, while Senegal needed a 5-4 penalty kicks shootout win to pip Morocco on the same day.
In Cape Coast, the Black Princesses took advantage of their home ground to ensure their progression, following a 2-1 first-leg victory against Uganda in Entebbe two weeks ago.
Norway-bound youngster Evelyn Badu made an impactful return from her one-match suspension which saw her miss the first leg fixture.
She opened the floodgate of goals with her 22nd-minute strike for the West Africans at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Four minutes later, Salamatu Abdulai struck to ensure the hosts finished the first half with a 2-0 lead.
After the restart, the Ugandans tried to bounce back but failed to convert their half-chances before substitute Rahama Jafaru compounded their woes, netting the third in the 82nd minute.
Doris Boaduwaa’s header extended the Ghanaians’ lead to four just six minutes later before she grabbed her second of the match inside additional time to wrap up the triumph.
Ghana’s victory spelt the end to Uganda’s qualification dream from the current qualification campaign.
The Black Princesses will now slug it out with last standing CECAFA representatives, Ethiopia, for a ticket to Costa Rica.
Elsewhere, Senegal forced the contest to a penalty kicks shootout to see off favourites Morocco following a 2-2 aggregate result.
With a 1-1 first-leg draw in Rabat, Malado Diallo’s effort in the 11th minute put the West Africans in the driving seat at half time at Stade Lat-Dior.
However, the visitors bounced back in the second half.
They were rewarded with an equaliser through Oumayma El Amarani three minutes into the half to drag the match into a penalty shootout.
After progressing via the shooting range, Senegal will take on Nigeria in an all-West African final round clash in March 2022 for a place at the global showpiece.
Two African representatives will emerge from the final round of the African qualifiers.
The first leg fixtures are scheduled for between March 10 and March 12 while the second leg ties for March 24 to March 26.