Cameroon delivered the most eye-catching performance of the first-leg fixtures in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup African qualifiers, hammering Botswana 5–0 to take a commanding grip on their tie.

 

The emphatic victory put Cameroon firmly in control and marked them out as one of the strongest contenders at this stage of the qualification series.

 

Elsewhere, Nigeria and Kenya both secured narrow but valuable 1–0 wins in tightly contested encounters. Nigeria edged past Senegal to claim a slim advantage, while Kenya needed a late goal to overcome Tanzania and boost their chances ahead of the return leg.

 

In contrast, two fixtures ended all square, leaving everything to play for. Uganda and Zambia battled to a 1–1 draw, as did Guinea-Bissau and Malawi, with neither side able to establish a clear edge going into the second leg.

 

With the first round of matches concluded, attention now turns to the return fixtures, which are set to begin from February 13. With several ties still delicately poised, qualification for the World Cup finals remains wide open as teams prepare for decisive second-leg showdowns.