The Cameroon U-17 national team has arrived in Morocco to finalize preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place from March 30 to April 19, 2025.
Under the guidance of head coach Alioum Saidou, the Young Indomitable Lions have gained confidence from a series of friendly matches ahead of the tournament. Despite a 3-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire last Saturday, they bounced back with an emphatic 8-3 victory over hosts Morocco on Monday. Goals came from Franck Mafany Luma (2), David Yannick Bondoma (2), André Jordan Emini Zibi (2), Oumar Amir Tsombeng (1), and Arnold Massokon (1). The team capped off their build-up campaign with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Uganda on Wednesday.
Among Cameroon’s key players is goalkeeper and captain Junior Abou Lopez, who is set to play in his second U-17 AFCON after featuring in the 2023 edition in Algeria.
“First of all, we are very happy with this victory,” Lopez said after their final warm-up match. “We played three games—lost one against Côte d’Ivoire—but we bounced back well to build confidence for the tournament. That was the goal of these friendlies.”
Looking ahead to Cameroon’s opening Group B match against Burkina Faso on Monday, March 31, he added: “We hope to be fully ready for our first match and aim to give everything to win it.”
Lopez made it clear that Cameroon’s ambition is to reach the final of the competition.
“Our objective is to be among the teams that reach the final of this Africa Cup,” he stated. “To our fans back home, all I can ask is that you support and encourage us. Your energy, belief, and cheers will push us forward in this competition.”
Cameroon has been drawn into Group B, based in Casablanca, alongside Burkina Faso, Egypt, and South Africa.
- March 31 – vs. Burkina Faso
- April 3 – vs. South Africa
- April 6 – vs. Egypt
With two previous U-17 AFCON titles (2003 and 2019), Cameroon is aiming for a third championship while also securing qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27. A strong performance in Morocco would solidify Cameroon’s status as one of Africa’s leading youth football nations.
