WEST AFRICA — The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A has released the official fixtures for the 2026 CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition. The regional qualifiers are scheduled to begin on September 7, with youth national teams from across the WAFU Zone A region preparing to battle for places at the continental tournament. One of the opening fixtures will see The Gambia face Sierra Leone in a highly anticipated West African encounter. The qualifiers will provide an important pathway for young footballers seeking to establish themselves at international level and earn an opportunity to represent their countries at the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is also regarded as an important development platform for African football, allowing national federations to identify and nurture young talent for future senior national teams. Coaches and technical teams have been preparing their squads for the competition, with the opening round expected to produce intense regional rivalries and competitive matches. Qualification will be particularly significant for countries looking to strengthen their youth development programmes and maintain a pipeline of emerging football talent. With the official schedule now confirmed, attention turns to the opening fixtures on September 7 as West Africa’s next generation of football stars begin their journey towards the continental stage.
