Senegal, Ghana and Algeria prepare for intense battle in U17 AFCON Group D

2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations Group D is expected to produce one of the most competitive races of the tournament, with Senegal, South Africa, Algeria and Ghana all aiming to secure places in the quarter-finals.

The group combines former champions, experienced participants and emerging youth sides, creating what many expect to be a tightly contested section of the competition.

With only two qualification spots available for the knockout stage, every match could prove decisive in determining which nations progress.

Defending champions Senegal enter the tournament carrying strong expectations after lifting the title in the previous edition.

The West Africans are appearing in the competition for the fourth time, having previously participated in 2011, 2019, 2023 and now 2025.

Their triumph in 2023 remains the best achievement among the four teams in Group D in recent years and places additional attention on their campaign.

South Africa, meanwhile, return for a fifth appearance at the tournament.

Their previous participations came in 2005, 2007, 2015, 2023 and 2025.

The South Africans achieved their best result in 2015 when they finished runners-up, and they will hope to challenge strongly again in this edition.

Algeria are taking part for only the third time in their history.

They previously appeared in 2009 and 2023, with their strongest performance coming in 2009 when they reached the final and finished second.

Despite having fewer appearances than some of their rivals, Algeria remain one of the teams capable of competing for qualification from the group.

Ghana arrive with the richest history among the four nations.

The West Africans are participating for the seventh time after previous appearances in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2017.

Ghana also remain one of the most successful nations in the history of the competition after winning the title twice, in 1995 and 1999.

The quality of talent across all four squads is expected to make Group D one of the standout sections of the tournament.

Several of the teams have strong reputations in African youth football, while others are looking to re-establish themselves on the continental stage.

The opening round of matches will take place on Thursday, 14 May.

Senegal will begin their title defence against South Africa at 4:00 PM GMT, while Algeria face Ghana later the same evening at 7:00 PM GMT.

The second round of fixtures is scheduled for Sunday, 17 May.

South Africa will meet Algeria at 4:00 PM GMT, while Ghana take on Senegal at the same time.

The final group matches are set for Wednesday, 20 May.

Senegal will face Algeria at 7:00 PM GMT, while South Africa and Ghana will also meet at 7:00 PM GMT.

The final matchday could prove decisive given the balance between the teams and the importance of goal difference in closely contested groups.

Senegal’s clash with Ghana is already being viewed as one of the standout matches of the group stage because of the history and quality associated with both football nations.

Algeria, meanwhile, will hope to build on their progress in youth football and challenge for a return to the knockout rounds.

SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao met with the South African U17 National Team to give them a word of encouragement ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco from the 13th of May to 02 June 2026.

The squad has been reduced from 30 to 25 and it’s still not clear if there… pic.twitter.com/rT1srb7hcF

— Football Stage (@Football__Stage) May 5, 2026

South Africa also enter the tournament with ambitions of making a deep run after previous strong performances at under-17 level.

With experienced youth systems, talented squads and strong football traditions represented across the group, Group D is expected to deliver some of the most competitive matches of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.