Serengeti Girls cruise past Botswana in World Cup qualifier

DAR ES SALAAM: SERENGETI Girls have advanced to the second round of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers after a 3-0 victory over Botswana at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, sealing a 6-2 aggregate win.

Bahati Steven scored twice before Harrier Juma added a third as Tanzania built on their 3-2 away win in the first leg.

The result sets up a secondround clash with South Africa next month. The first leg will be played in Tanzania between 22 and 24 May, with the return fixture scheduled for 29 to 31 May.

The winners will progress to the final qualifying phase in July, where eight teams will compete for four places at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, which will qualify automatically as hosts.

Elsewhere in the region, Kenya and Uganda also progressed. Kenya defeated Namibia 7-1 on aggregate, while Uganda beat Zimbabwe 6-1 over two legs.