by Agnes Amondi

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has rescheduled Morocco’s second leg of the second round tie of the 2020 U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Botswana.

CAF ordered the replay of the abandoned fixture after the outbreak of the coronavirus prevented the team from travelling to Morroco.

An official statement from CAF signed by its Acting Secretary-General Abdelmounaïm Bah read:

“CAF administration submitted to the Organising committee of women’s football the case of the above-mentioned match that was scheduled to be played on 14th March 2020 in Morocco but did not take place due to the decision of the government of Botswana to suspend the travels of all the citizens as a safety measure against the Covid-19 virus. 

“The member of the organising committee for women’s football decided by unanimity to consider the case of Botswana as a Force Majeure and to reschedule the match once football activities resume on the continent. We will communicate to BFA in due time the proposed date for the match in question.”

The return leg initially penciled for March 14 after Morocco’s 1-0 first-leg win at the National Stadium, Gaborone, saw the visitors (Botswana) not travel up North to Marrakech, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

At the time, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) haulted the trip due to the health concerns after an advisory from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Cultural Development.

The winner of the match on aggregate will progress to the final round of the qualifiers to face South Africa.

Three teams will represent Africa in the 2020 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup from February 17 to March 7 in India.