Draw Confirmed for 2014 UEMOA Football Tournament in Lomé
By BBC News Staff
The stage is set for the 7th edition of the UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) football tournament, as the official draw was held on Thursday in Lomé, Togo. The regional competition, which features players based in domestic leagues of member countries, will take place from 22 to 29 November in the Togolese capital.
Host nation Togo has been drawn into Group A, where they will face Mali, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire. Group B, meanwhile, features defending champions Burkina Faso, who will battle Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Benin for a place in the final.
The tournament, a key fixture on West Africa’s football calendar, is organised under the patronage of Sylvester Vivien Tommey—a former Togolese international who played during the 1970s. His involvement lends a symbolic historical touch to an event that coincides with the 20th anniversary of the UEMOA institution.
According to the competition’s format, each group will play a round-robin style mini-league, with the top team from each pool advancing to the final. No semi-finals are scheduled, which puts a premium on consistency and goal difference during the group phase.
The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) has described this year’s tournament as a “major youth event” and an opportunity to showcase the rising talent within the region. With national teams composed exclusively of players from domestic leagues, the competition offers a unique platform for local stars to shine on the international stage.
Here is the official group draw:
Group A: Togo, Mali, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire
Group B: Burkina Faso (defending champions), Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Benin
As anticipation builds in Lomé, all eyes will be on Togo’s opening matches and Burkina Faso’s title defence. With national pride and regional bragging rights at stake, the 2014 UEMOA tournament promises a spirited display of West African football.
Reporting by BBC News.
