Cameroon targets AFCON U-17 glory

Cameroon secured qualification for the event in Algeria after defeating Congo in the final of the central Africa zonal tournament.

In the 14th edition of the tournament, Cameroon is pooled in tricky Group C alongside two other previous winners.

2011 champions Burkina Faso and winners in 2015 and 2017 Mali form part of the group which has debutant South Sudan.

Match Schedule (Group C)

Cameroon will play their group stage games in Algeria’s coastal city, Annaba. The defending champions open their competition against debutants South Sudan, before games against Mali and Burkina Faso.

Cameroon Vs South Sudan (1/5/2023) – 17h00 local time, Annaba
Cameroon Vs Mali (4/5/2023) – 17h00 local time, Annaba
Burkina Faso Vs Cameroon (7/5/2023) – 20h00 local time, Annaba
Jean Pierre Fiala Fiala
The Coach

Jean Pierre Fiala Fiala will lead his country during the tournament in Algeria.

The 53-year-old former Cameroon international guided his country to reach yet another AFCON tournament as UNIFFAC champions, defeating Congo and Central Africa Republic in two games during the UNIFFAC tournament earlier this year on home soil.

The former Stade Brestois midfielder retired as a footballer in 2000 and immediately switched to management. After stints at a number of local clubs, he was appointed head coach of Cameroon’s U17 team, replacing Anicet Mbarga Foe in August 2022.

This will not be his first AFCON tournament. Coach Fiala was part of Cameroon’s technical staff during the 2021 U20 tournament in Mauritania.

“Our objective is to be among the best four teams and earn qualification for the World Cup. To achieve that, we have to win games. We have to keep working. It’s a good tournament, one which we want to create a lasting impression especially because we are title holders,” Fiala said after the draw.