Women’s U17 race: Burkina Faso set for Group A test at UFOA-B tournament

Burkina Faso will face Cote d’Ivoire and Benin in Group A of the UFOA-B qualifying tournament for the Women’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations, after the draw was held in Ouagadougou on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

The three-team section was confirmed during the ceremony in the Burkina Faso capital, with the hosts placed alongside Cote d’Ivoire and Benin. The draw gives Burkina Faso two group opponents as the teams compete for progress in the regional qualifying competition.

Group B contains four sides: Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Niger.

The tournament will take place in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, from 15 to 28 September 2026. At the end of the competition, the two finalists will secure qualification for the final stages of the Women’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The format means the two groups will form the basis of the qualifying campaign, with Burkina Faso beginning its challenge in the smaller of the two sections. Cote d’Ivoire and Benin will provide the opposition in Group A, while Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Niger make up the four-team Group B.

The draw was conducted ahead of the tournament’s scheduled start in September and has established the regional route towards the final stages of the continental competition.

Burkina Faso will therefore be required to navigate a group featuring two neighbouring West African nations, while Group B brings together four teams, including Ghana and Nigeria. The tournament’s outcome will determine which two teams claim the available qualification places.

The complete draw is:

Group A Cote d’Ivoire Benin Burkina Faso

Group B Ghana Nigeria Togo Niger