U17 UNIFAC cup: Stakeholders fine-tune preparations ahead of Douala tourney.

The stakeholders carried out the brainstorming exercise at the conference hall of the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education in Yaounde Friday. 

This was during a preparatory meeting held in the build-up to the forthcoming subregional tournament set to take place from March 30 to April 19 this year. 

The gathering was chaired by the Inspector General of Services at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, Michel Dissake Mbarga.

According to officials, the working session was part of government’s multiple engagements as it looks to ensure the successful organization of the prestigious youth football competition.

This is according to a statement published on the official social media handle of the ministry. 

The UNIFFAC U17 tournament will serve as the Central African zonal qualifiers to the upcoming Under17 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON scheduled to be hosted in Morocco later this year.

The subregional competition is expected to bring together all eight countries of the UNIFFAC bloc, providing the young footballers with an opportunity to display their talents on an international stage and secure a spot at the continental tournament. 

The participating teams will battle for two qualification tickets to the continental championship in Morocco. 

According to the statement from the sports ministry, Cameroon reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring the event’s success, mobilising resources and personnel to deliver a well-organized competition that aligns with the standards of African youth football development.

Anticipation builds for U17 Lions 

Cameroon’s national Under 17 team, the Under Lions U17 are expected to put up a strong performance in front of home fans during the forthcoming tournament. 

The team began preparations more than six weeks ago in the build up to the Douala tournament. 

Head coach, Saidou Alioum, summoned a total of 30 players to camp on December 21 last year and has since been consistently training with the youngsters at the CAF Center of Excellence in Mbankomo in the outskirt of Yaounde. 

The U17 Lions have a rich history of participation in the UNIFFAC tournament.

In January 2023, during the UNIFFAC Zonal Qualifiers held in Limbe, the team secured a 2-0 victory over Congo, earning a spot in the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Pundits are optimistic that the Baby Lions will be ready to do everything possible to get a qualification ticket to the African championship in Morocco and ultimately earn a place in the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar. 

The team will battle to be among the top 10 teams at the end of the African championship in Morocco to be able to qualify for the global event. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3356 of Saturday February 01, 2025