The CAF first preliminary round of qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was played WED 20-TUE 26 OCT 2021. 21 of the 22 places in the second preliminary round have been decided, with the second leg between Sudan and Algeria postponed due to the security situation in Sudan.

Nigeria advanced with a 2-1 aggregate victory over neighbours Ghana. Despite losing the second leg 1-0, the Super Falcons move on thanks to Uchenna KANU’s brace in the first leg. They will face Côte d’Ivoire in the next round, who cruised to a 20-0 aggregate win over Niger.

Uganda edged Ethiopia 2-1 on penalties after their two matches finished 2-2 on aggregate. They will next play Kenya, who defeated South Sudan 15-1 over the two legs.

Zambia defeated Malawi 4-3 on aggregate, with Rachael KUNDANANJI scoring twice in the second leg for the Copper Queens. Zambia meet Namibia in the second preliminary round after Namibia eliminated Tanzania on a 5-3 aggregate scoreline.

The second leg between Sudan and Algeria has been postponed, with Algeria having won the first leg 14-0. The winner of that series will advance to meet South Africa in the next round.

The second preliminary round is due to be played in FEB 2022. Eleven teams will advance to the Women’s African Nations Cup.

• Second preliminary round:
  • Series 1: Uganda-Kenya
  • Series 2: Burundi-Djibouti
  • Series 3: Zambia-Namibia
  • Series 4: Zimbabwe-Botswana
  • Series 5: South Africa-[Winner ALG-SDN]
  • Series 6: Tunisia-Equatorial Guinea
  • Series 7: Togo-Gabon
  • Series 8: Cameroon-Gambia
  • Series 9: Senegal-Mali
  • Series 10: Guinea-Bissau-Burkina Faso
  • Series 11: Nigeria-Côte d’Ivoire