Senegal book 2027 Africa U17 Nations Cup return after Guinea win

Senegal will defend their Africa U17 Nations Cup title in 2027 after securing qualification with a 3-0 semi-final victory over Guinea in the UFOA-A qualifying tournament.

The Young Lions won the continental competition in Morocco this year and will return to the same country for next year’s finals. Senegal and Gambia are among the first teams to confirm their places in the tournament.

A place in the UFOA-A final was enough to secure qualification for the Africa U17 Nations Cup, and Senegal achieved that target in convincing fashion against Guinea.

Their victory guarantees the holders the opportunity to defend the crown they won in Morocco in 2026. However, Senegal still have a regional trophy to pursue before turning their attention fully to the continental finals.

They will face Gambia in the final of the UFOA-A qualifiers on Sunday, 20 September, at Stade Leopold-Sedar-Senghor.

Gambia also secured their place at the Africa U17 Nations Cup by beating Liberia 2-1 in the other semi-final. Senegal and Gambia therefore join Morocco, who qualify automatically as hosts, among the first confirmed participants.

Senegal’s qualification carries particular significance because Morocco will stage the competition again. CAF awarded the 2027 edition to the country only a few months after Senegal lifted the trophy there.

A total of 16 teams are expected to take part in the tournament, which will also offer qualification places for the 2027 U17 World Cup in Qatar.

The remaining places will be decided through the other regional qualifying tournaments across Africa.

The UNAF zone, however, will have to wait before beginning its campaign. Its qualifying tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Tunisia from 26 September to 2 October, has been postponed until 9-17 November.

Morocco have been added to the event despite already qualifying as hosts, taking the number of teams involved to five. They will compete alongside Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

The revised schedule means Algeria, managed by Karim Ziani, must also adjust their preparations. The Young Fennecs had been due to face three opponents in September, but will now wait almost two additional months before beginning their campaign with a highly anticipated Algeria-Morocco fixture.

While North Africa’s qualifiers remain on hold, Senegal can already begin planning their return to Morocco.

The champions will be there to defend their title.