The meeting of the North African Football Union (UNAF), held last Friday in Gammarth, Tunisia, concluded with several key decisions regarding the organization of upcoming regional competitions. Representatives gathered to discuss the union’s program for the end of 2019 and the 2020 calendar year, outlining a series of tournaments aimed at strengthening football development across North Africa. One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the designation of Algeria as the host nation for the majority of these events.
Among the first competitions confirmed is a tournament dedicated to women’s under-21 football. This initiative highlights UNAF’s commitment to promoting women’s football and providing young players with more opportunities to compete at an international level. The event will bring together national teams from across the North African region, creating a platform for emerging talents to gain experience and showcase their abilities.
The women’s U21 tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21 to 28. Over the course of the week, participating teams will compete in a series of matches designed to encourage development, foster regional rivalries, and strengthen the overall level of the women’s game. The Algerian Football Federation officially confirmed the dates and details of the competition through a statement published on its website on Tuesday. By hosting the event, Algeria will play a central role in supporting the growth of women’s football in the region.
In addition to the women’s tournament, Algeria has also been entrusted with organizing another major competition: the zonal qualifiers for the 2021 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This qualifying tournament will determine which North African nation advances to represent the zone at the continental finals in Morocco. The competition is scheduled to run from July 20 to July 30, 2020.
The stakes for the participating teams will be high, as only the winner of the zonal tournament will secure a place at the AFCON finals. This format is expected to create intense and competitive matches, with young players battling not only for regional pride but also for the opportunity to compete on the continental stage. For many of these youth prospects, the tournament could serve as a crucial stepping stone in their football careers.
By awarding the hosting rights for both events to Algeria, UNAF has shown confidence in the country’s organizational capabilities and infrastructure. Algeria’s experience in staging football competitions is expected to ensure smooth logistics and favorable conditions for all participating teams. Hosting multiple tournaments will also give Algerian football greater visibility within the region.
It is worth noting that the UNAF meeting brought together the national technical directors from all member associations. Their presence underlined the importance of coordinated planning and technical collaboration to improve standards across North African football. Through these initiatives, UNAF aims to foster development at both youth and women’s levels while strengthening ties among its member nations.
