The final round of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for U17 teams has started, with the first legs taking place this weekend. The Ivory Coast U17 team, known as the Elephants, is set to face the Lion Cubs of Senegal in their quest for qualification. The Ivorian selection, led by coach Kamara Ibrahim, arrived in Dakar with a squad of 18 players from various Ivorian training centers and clubs.
However, there are cautious remarks from the Ivorian camp, with Coach Kamara Ibrahim mentioning the challenges of preparing for this important match. The team has engaged in long-term work, including addressing issues related to age cheating, and they hope the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) supports these efforts.
Despite facing a team that has played test matches with other teams in their category, the Ivorian team is focused on securing qualification for the U17 African Cup of Nations. The coach emphasizes the determination of the players and acknowledges that playing friendly matches in preparation would have been ideal. The Ivorian team is aiming for a positive result in Senegal.
