Côte d’Ivoire clinch WAFU-B U17 title and secure place at 2026 AFCON

Côte d’Ivoire capped a dazzling campaign at the WAFU-B U17 qualifying tournament with a dramatic victory over Ghana, sealing the title and confirming their place at the 2026 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The young Elephants’ road to glory began with a series of commanding group-stage performances.

They opened with a 2-0 win against Niger and followed up with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over Ghana before being held to a 1-1 draw by Togo.

In the semi-finals, Bassiriki Diabaté’s side overcame Burkina Faso 2-1 to book their place in Friday’s grand final at the Stade Charles Konan Banny.

In a fiercely contested showdown with the Black Starlettes, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana produced a thrilling spectacle, with chances at both ends and no shortage of intensity.

Neither side could find the decisive breakthrough during regulation time, sending the contest to penalties.

It was in the shootout that the Elephants held their nerve, clinching a 4-3 victory to lift the trophy.

It was a hard-fought match, coach Bassiriki Diabaté said afterwards, visibly proud of his side’s resilience. Both teams gave everything, but our boys showed incredible composure when it mattered most.

The triumph was not only collective but also individual.

The Ivorians swept every major personal accolade at the tournament.

Cheick Ahmed Malo was named best player, Bèma Doumbia finished as top scorer, and Adama Diabaté earned the award for best goalkeeper – underlining the team’s dominance across the competition.

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Friday’s win represents a significant statement ahead of the U17 AFCON.

By combining defensive discipline with attacking flair, Côte d’Ivoire have established themselves as one of the leading forces in African youth football.

Their balance of individual brilliance and collective unity now sets a high benchmark for the continental finals.

Supporters in the stands celebrated wildly as the Elephants lifted the trophy, reflecting the nation’s hopes for a new generation of talent.

With Morocco 2026 on the horizon, this young team has both momentum and confidence, eager to transform regional success into continental glory.

For now, though, the message is clear: Côte d’Ivoire’s U17 side is back among Africa’s elite – and their rivals have been warned.