UFOA-B U17 tournament kicks off in Yamoussoukro

The UFOA-B U17 qualifying tournament for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire begins this Saturday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

The competition, running from September 20 to October 3, will feature some of West Africa’s most promising young talents competing for a place in the continental finals.

The opening day promises exciting encounters, starting with the host nation Côte d’Ivoire taking the field against a determined Nigerian side.

The Ivorian youngsters will aim to make a strong impression in front of their home crowd, setting the tone for their campaign.

Nigeria, traditionally strong at youth level, will test the home team’s resilience and tactical discipline in what is expected to be a competitive match.

Later in the day, Togo will face Ghana in a clash that pits one of the region’s underdogs against a perennial powerhouse.

Togo, which has historically found such competitions challenging, will be hoping to make a positive start, while Ghana aims to assert its reputation as one of West Africa’s dominant youth football nations.

Both teams will be eager to start their campaign with a win, making this a fixture to watch.

Saturday’s Fixtures

• 3:00 PM: Côte d’Ivoire vs Niger

• 6:00 PM: Togo vs Ghana

The tournament is expected to provide a platform for young players to showcase their abilities to scouts, coaches, and football enthusiasts across the region.

Beyond qualification for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, the event serves as a crucial stage for development, allowing the players to gain experience in high-level competitive matches.

Organizers have emphasized the importance of the event in promoting youth football across West Africa, noting that the tournament not only identifies talent but also fosters camaraderie and sportsmanship among the participating nations.

With teams from across the UFOA-B region competing, the tournament promises a blend of tactical innovation, individual skill, and collective team effort.

For the host nation, the tournament carries added significance. Playing on home soil offers Côte d’Ivoire an opportunity to capitalize on local support and showcase the progress of its youth development programs.

Meanwhile, teams such as Ghana and Nigeria will aim to demonstrate their depth and consistency in youth competitions, further solidifying their reputations as powerhouses in West African football.

As the tournament unfolds over the next two weeks, fans can expect high-intensity matches, emerging talents, and a glimpse of the next generation of African football stars.

With the U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualification at stake, every match will be fiercely contested, making the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro a hub of youth football excitement in the region.