African qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup began last weekend as four matches took place across the continent. In the first leg of home-and-away matches. Mozambique defeated Lesotho, 3-0, in Maputo; South Africa crushed Swaziland, 9-0, in Johannesburg; Egypt drew 1-1 with Uganda in Cairo; and Ghana trounced Guinea in Accra, 11-0. The return legs are scheduled for April 11 or 12. With funds for travel and organization sparse, Namibia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Kenya pulled out of the qualifying tournament. Originally slated as a 15-team tournament with home-and-away matches in the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, the African format has now been adjusted. Instead, the four first-round winners will now join defending African champion Nigeria, Congo, Cameroon and Morocco in an eight-team qualifying tournament in Nigeria at a date to be determined. The top two finishers will advance to USA ’99. Tickets for the Women’s World Cup are scheduled to go on sale May 1. Fans are encouraged to call 1-888-4WWC-INFO for more information.