Cameroon U17s claim second win at UNIFFAC tournament

Cameroon’s Under-17 Lions maintained their perfect start to the UNIFFAC tournament with a 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic on Saturday, securing a second successive win in the competition.

From the opening stages, Saïdou Alioum’s side set the tempo and dictated play, asserting control against opponents determined to respond after last year’s meeting.

Cameroon’s dominance eventually translated into goals, with Karel Krys and Eric Bolo finding the net to seal the result.

The win places the young Lions in a strong position after two matchdays, having collected maximum points so far in the regional tournament.

Speaking after the match, head coach Saïdou Alioum acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents and praised his players’ resilience.

“We expected this. We knew we were facing a Central African team eager for revenge after last year. It was a tough match; we turned things around in the second half.”

Cameroon’s breakthrough came after sustained pressure, with their intensity and organisation proving decisive as the match progressed.

While the Central African Republic attempted to disrupt their rhythm, the Lions remained composed and capitalised on their chances.

Alioum highlighted the character shown by his squad, particularly in managing the game during critical phases.

“But as you said, the kids showed character and we won 2-0. We already have the advantage with two wins, so we’ll try to motivate the boys to repeat the same effort in the next match and win this trophy. But we’ll remain humble and respect our opponents.”

With two victories from two matches, Cameroon have laid down an early marker in the UNIFFAC competition.

However, the coach was quick to stress the importance of humility and continued focus as the tournament progresses.

The Under-17 Lions will now turn their attention to their next fixture, aiming to maintain momentum and strengthen their bid for the title.

For Alioum and his players, the immediate objective is clear: build on their strong start while remaining grounded in pursuit of the trophy.