WAFU A U17: Guinea begin tournament with narrow victory over Mauritania
Guinea’s U17 national team began their UFOA A campaign on a positive note, edging past Mauritania 1-0 in a tightly contested opening match.
The encounter, played with high intensity from both sides, remained goalless at the break after a balanced first half.
Guinea had a golden chance to take the lead in the 25th minute when Seydouba Sylla stepped up to take a penalty, but his effort failed to find the target, leaving the score level.
Despite the setback, the Syli National cadets maintained control of possession and continued to press forward in search of an opener.
Their persistence was rewarded shortly after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Mohamed Zayaté broke the deadlock with a well-taken finish, capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past the Mauritanian goalkeeper.
The goal lifted Guinea’s confidence and allowed them to dictate the rhythm of play for much of the second half.
Mauritania, however, refused to back down. The young Mourabitounes created several half-chances in the closing stages, but the Guinean defence held firm, with the goalkeeper producing a crucial save late on to preserve the lead.
✅ Le Syli National Cadet s’est imposé (0-1) face à la Mauritanie ce lundi 6 octobre 2025 à l’occasion de la première journée de la phase de groupes du tournoi UFOA A, qualificatif à la prochaine CAN U17.
⚽️ L’unique but de la rencontre a été inscrit par Mohamed Zayatte Sylla… pic.twitter.com/L2d23U6zzA
— Fédération Guinéenne de Football (@fgfofficiel) October 6, 2025
The final whistle confirmed a winning start for Guinea, who now sit atop Group B on three points.
The result reflects a promising start for the Guinean side, whose discipline and resilience were key to securing the victory despite the early missed penalty.
It also highlights the team’s attacking potential, as they managed to sustain pressure and convert their chances when it mattered most.
For Mauritania, the defeat was a narrow one, yet they will take encouragement from their competitive performance.
Their focus will now shift to the next round of matches as they aim to revive their campaign and stay in contention for qualification.
Guinea’s head coach is expected to build on this solid foundation ahead of their upcoming group fixtures, where maintaining consistency will be crucial in advancing to the knockout stage.
With this victory, the Syli National cadets have taken a crucial first step in their bid to progress deep into the UFOA A U17 Tournament.
Their next test will reveal whether this promising start can be sustained as the competition intensifies.
