Africa: The Road to Japan for Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup Enters Second Stage

• 
  

Nigeria's Falconets. (Photo Courtesy CAF Online)

The second round first legs of qualification for FIFA U- 20 Women's World Cup 2012 to be held in Japan get underway this weekend on continent with some explosive encounters on the cards.

Nigeria's Falconets will host Zimbabwe in Abeokuta. In South Africa, the home side entertains Ghana at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, while Kenya enters new territory as they take on visiting Tunisia in Nairobi.

The fixture between Mali and DR Congo scheduled for Bamako has been moved to next weekend with the return leg set for weekend of 20-22nd April in DR Congo.

South Africa's U-20 side (Basetsana) who have been in camp for some days played their senior counterparts, Banyana Banyana and held them to a goalless draw. Head coach of the Basetsana squad, Sheryl Botes was quoted on the country's Football Association official website (www.safa.net) saying "Our main focus is building the base for attacks, the more goals we score in the home leg, the better for us as it will help a great deal in the return leg in Ghana in a fortnight."

Meanwhile Zimbabwe's Young Mighty Warriors head to Nigeria eager to better the result from the last time the two sides met at the same stage of the same competition two years ago. The Zimbabweans failed to score over two legs and conceded at total of ten goals. Emmaculate Msipa played against the Falconets in 2010 and the midfielder believes times have changed and Zimbabwean women's football has come some way since the drabbing from Nigeria,

"It is different now because we have a running league and we have some experienced players in this current side and we are aware of what to expect and what is required at this stage of the competition. We are focused and want to make history by becoming the first Zimbabwean team to qualify for football World Cup finals,"said Msipa.

Kenya U-20 Women's team (Starlets) has been getting a helping hand from the men's national side coach Francis Kimanzi. Starlets head coach Florence Adhiambo spoke of how her girls have been motivated by Kimanzi and his assistance has been valuable to their preparations. Their opponents Tunisia have quietly gone about their preparations for the encounter to be played at Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium on Saturday. Coach Adhiambo went on to say" I hope my girls will replicate what they've trained in the match against the Tunisians. Everybody is focused and I believe we'll get positive result"

Nigeria's Weighlifting Team Shines at African Champs

• 
  

Wightlifter Mariam Usman. (Photo Courtesy LEADERSHIP)

Chief Coach of the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation, (NWF) Patrick Bassey has disclosed that the lifters in camp are well motivated for the Olympic qualifiers billed for Nairobi, Kenya

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard Sports at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Dan Anyiam Stadium, the Olympian said the training the lifters are undergoing will yield dividend when the qualifiers kick off in March 28 - April 2, 2012.

He appealed to the National Sports Commission, NSC to keep to its promise of ensuring the team jet out to Nairobi with a full squad.

"We have been taken the lifters through rigorous training bearing in mind the preparation of the other countries which we cannot monitor. The only fear is for them not to pick any injury. Nevertheless, we are training with caution so they can avoid being injured.

"I just have to say this that the spirit the lifters are displaying will be difficult for anybody to take them to the cleaners. My prayer is that the National Sports Commission keeps to their promise of us going to the championship with a full team," Coach Bassey said.