The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B has successfully concluded the 2025 football calendar with the efficient execution of all planned activities, marking another significant chapter in the sub-regional body’s steady rise as one of the most organised and progressive CAF zones.
Under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Phillippe Tchere, WAFU Zone B has continued its transformation into a modern, purpose-driven football institution. Throughout the year under review, the organisation demonstrated strong administrative capacity, strategic planning and a human-centered approach to football development across its seven-member nations, setting a benchmark within the CAF zoning structure.
A defining feature of WAFU B’s 2025 calendar was its well-structured competition programme, with a strong emphasis on youth development and pathways to continental qualification. In July, Ghana successfully hosted the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup, delivering a highly competitive tournament that showcased emerging talent and reinforced the region’s depth in youth football. This was complemented by the U20 Girls Cup held in Benin, further underlining WAFU B’s commitment to gender inclusion and the growth of women’s football.
The sub-regional body also played a central role in organising and supervising the U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, ensuring smooth logistics, strict adherence to CAF regulations and a professional competition environment. These tournaments not only provided valuable competitive exposure but also served as critical platforms for qualification to continental championships.
Beyond national team competitions, WAFU B recorded notable success in club football administration. The organisation effectively supervised the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, reinforcing its capacity to manage high-stakes tournaments involving elite clubs. In addition, WAFU B oversaw the qualifiers for the Africa Schools Football Championship, which were hosted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, closing the year on a vibrant and impactful note.
Central to WAFU B’s progress has been its growing focus on capacity building, governance and sustainable development. Through targeted initiatives and improved operational frameworks, the organisation has strengthened collaboration among member associations while prioritising talent identification, referee development, and technical education. This holistic approach has positioned WAFU B as a model sub-regional body with a clear developmental vision.
WAFU Zone B complemented its busy 2025 competition calendar with an extensive programme of capacity-building workshops held throughout the year, reinforcing its commitment to institutional development and professional excellence across the sub-region.
Key activities included a General Secretaries’ Workshop held in Abidjan back in February, which focused on governance, administration and best practices for effective football management. This was followed by targeted Safety and Security Training sessions aimed at enhancing matchday organisation and ensuring compliance with CAF and FIFA standards.
The sub-regional body also organised an Anti-Doping Workshop to strengthen awareness and enforcement of clean sport principles, alongside specialised programmes in Marketing and Media Strategies designed to improve branding, communication and commercial engagement among member associations.
Further technical advancement was achieved through Technical Training courses, Medical Workshops and Match Commissioners’ Training, all tailored to equip officials with modern knowledge and practical skills required to meet the evolving demands of the game.
Through this comprehensive and well-structured capacity-building agenda, WAFU-B continued to invest in human capital, laying a strong foundation for sustainable football development and improved competition management across its member nations.
While the achievements of 2025 reflect strong execution and organisational maturity, WAFU B continues to embrace a culture of continuous improvement.
The leadership under Phillippe Tchere remains committed to refining systems, expanding opportunities and enhancing competition standards in the years ahead.
As WAFU Zone B looks to the future, its transformation into a dynamic, forward-thinking football institution is evident.
With a clear focus on youth development, continental qualification and institutional excellence, the sub-regional body is well placed to further elevate West African football on the continental and global stage.
