AS Massoda Crowned Champions Of 3rd Edition Of Loyalty Sevens Tournament

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

AS Massoda Rugby Team have crowned champions of the third edition of the Loyalty Sevens Tournament, played on Saturday, November 7, at the Olembé Annex B stadium in Yaoundé.

**Teams battling during the group stage of the Loyalty Sevens Tournament** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

The mixed-gender competition brought together 14 teams, 10 men’s and four women’s sides, who played a total of 30 matches. AS Massoda defeated the Lions Rugby Team 19-7 in a hard-fought final. Both sides had faced tough opposition on their way to the decider.

AS Massoda took an early lead, but the Lions quickly pulled level, and the teams went into half time on equal terms. In the second half, both sides stepped up their tactical play, but it was AS Massoda who pulled away for the win.

**Thierry Essono, President of Group Essono Rugby, kicks off the finals of the Loyalty Sevens Tournament** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

AS Massoda also won the previous edition’s final, beating Les Abeilles d’Etoudi 21-10. In the third-place match, Falcons Rugby Team comfortably beat Bees Rugby Team 26-7. In the women’s final, Honey Female Rugby Team defeated Eagles 12-0.

The two women’s sides had also met in the final of the second edition, when Honey emerged victorious after the teams were deadlocked throughout regular time.

Speaking to the press after the defeat, Lions captain expressed disappointment but said the team was proud of its performance.

“We are very happy to have played this final today. We showed what we, the veterans, are capable of,” he said. “We lost the match due to some details, but we are a club of veterans and we will come back very strong. We will win next time.”

For AS Massoda captain Abel Martial, the victory rewards hard work. “After the last tournament, we corrected a lot of things. Hard work always pays off,” he said, adding that the team still has surprises in store for the next tournament.

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Alfred Daniel Bisso, Technical Director of Groupe Essono, praised the level of play. He said the group had done what it knows best in organising, promoting and developing rugby at grassroots level, and had kept the flame alive.

**A rugby player competing during the group stage of the Loyalty Sevens Tournament** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

“We are going to continue in that aspect because we are hoping that the Minister of Sports, despite the effort we are doing, will understand that rugby is for the youth of Cameroon, and will put in place the transitional committee asked by World Rugby in order to organise the election in Cameroon,” he said.

He added that organisers had spotted many promising players who will be called up for a training camp in the coming days, as Cameroon has been invited to take part in an international competition in the sub-region. After that, the Under-15 championship will be launched.

The Loyalty Sevens Tournament was created to keep the spirit of the game alive while the Cameroonian Rugby Federation remains suspended by international governing bodies. The second edition drew 16 teams: 11 men’s and five women’s.

University Of Ebolowa, ISSMIGA Sign Mentorship Agreement To Boost Training & Learner Opportunities

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The University of Ebolowa and the Higher Institute of Management Sciences, Computer Science and Applied Management (ISSMIGA), based in Yaoundé, have signed a strategic mentorship agreement aimed at strengthening training, research, innovation and opportunities for learners.

**Dr. Pierre Orly Tantchou, Founder and Promoter of ISSMIGA, signs the strategic agreement**

The agreement was signed on November 3 in Ebolowa. Prof. Jean Bosco Etoa Etoa, Rector of the University of Ebolowa, represented his institution, while Dr. Pierre Orly Tantchou, Founder and Promoter of ISSMIGA, signed on behalf of the institute.

Shortly after the signing, Dr. Orly Tantchou welcomed the agreement as a remarkable step in structuring ISSMIGA’s higher education offering. He insisted that an academic partnership must make a real difference to the student experience.

“The aim is to provide clearer, better-supported pathways, strengthen training quality and help students prepare for further study,” he said.

He was quick to temper expectations, however. “Qualification equivalence, international mobility and scholarships must be considered individually under the relevant organizations’ criteria. They are not automatically granted by the signing,” he explained.

As part of Groupe NO LIMIT, ISSMIGA works alongside the NO LIMIT Vocational Training Center. According to Dr. Orly Tantchou, while ISSMIGA supports higher education ambitions, the vocational center helps people learn an occupation, upgrade their skills or change careers.

“Both share the same commitment: to help learners choose a direction and prepare for professional life. Digital inclusion offers a concrete illustration,” he said.

He cited two recent initiatives to back this up: computer training that began on October 15, and a laptop donation made on October 23 in partnership with No Limit International. “A computer becomes a tool for the future when its user can apply it to learning and creation,” he noted.

**Prof. Jean Bosco Etoa Etoa, Rector of the University of Ebolowa, and Dr. Pierre Orly Tantchou, Founder of ISSMIGA, shake hands after signing the partnership agreement**

Looking ahead, he said the ambition is to help people act with competence, discipline and confidence, in Cameroon and wherever their future pathways take them. “The value of our training should be measured by what learners become able to achieve,” he added.

Together, ISSMIGA and the vocational training center (CFP NO LIMIT) offer practical programs closely tied to employment. Guided by the motto “Career Guidance · Training · Employability,” they aim to build a skills-focused campus that meets the needs of Cameroonian employers and remains open to international exchange, a place where social background and limited digital access do not stand in the way of learning.

This approach combines individual career guidance, applied teaching, practical experience and employment preparation, with digital literacy, language skills, discipline and real-world problem-solving at its core.

ISSMIGA is one of the fastest-growing higher learning institutes in Cameroon. Equipped with modern infrastructure, it prepares young Cameroonians for practical and professional life. It offers BTS, Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Management, Business and Finance, Computer Engineering, Home Economics, Legal Careers, Tourism and Hotel Management, and Networks and Communication.

Suspended But Still Present: Did Former Cameroon Rugby Boss Patrice Monthé Defy His Five-Year Suspension?

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

On Saturday, October 31, in Yaoundé, a rugby event organized by Barrister Patrice Monthé, former President of the Cameroon Rugby Federation (FECARUGBY), sparked debate over whether he has chosen to ignore his suspension by the continental body, Rugby Afrique.

**Barrister Patrice Monthé (Right) during the Rugby activity on Saturday October 31, 2026**

Barrister Monthé was reportedly suspended on November 15, 2025, by the Legal and Disciplinary Commission of Rugby Afrique, alongside several officials and members involved in the management and electoral process of the sport’s governing body in Cameroon.

The five-year ban covers all rugby-related activities and, under Article 30 of the federation’s statutes, had also make him ineligible to serve as FECARUGBY President.

Against that backdrop, many are asking how someone balled from all rugby activities last year could organize an event in the name of Cameroonian rugby. It is worth noting that the gathering was a solemn reception in honor of the Cameroonian Rugby Association (ACR), whose team made a splash in June by winning the Africus Shield in Gabon.

Presenting himself as President and stressing the need to place grassroots players at the center of the renewal of Cameroonian rugby, Barrister Monthé conveyed the federation’s gratitude by distributing significant financial bonuses to the players and technical staff.

Since then, the discussion has spread well beyond Yaoundé to other parts of the country, with many wonderings how this could be happening and whether the man suspended last year has simply brushed aside the decision of the continental body.

One sports reporter said he was surprised when he learned of the event, since he knew Barrister Monthé had been suspended from all rugby activities for five years. “This is not good and I want to believe that there are consequences for that,” he said.

A sports fan, Edwin stated that he believes legal action should be taken against the former President, arguing that the five-year period is far from over and that the situation does not reflect well on the country.

Barrister Monthé was not the only official affected. Other members of the federation were also suspended, with their sanctions ranging from three to four years.

The ruling, issued on November 15, 2025, also targeted the federation itself. After reviewing the case, the commission immediately suspended FECARUGBY from all activities, competitions and decision-making bodies, as well as from representation within Rugby Africa and World Rugby. A second decision invited Cameroon’s Ministry of Sports and Physical Education to work with Rugby Africa to establish a Transitional Management Committee within 30 days.

Since the contested election of Barrister Patrice Monthé on December 28, 2024, domestic competition activities have remained completely stalled. Instead, conflict has erupted between Barrister Monthé and a two-thirds majority of the Executive Bureau, who accuse him of financial embezzlement, poor collaboration, and non-compliance with the Cameroon Rugby Federation’s statutes.

With the October 31 event now fueling controversy, sports fans are waiting to see how the authorities, Rugby Afrique and World Rugby will respond.

Ndemaze Volleyball Club Clinches Centre Regional Title With Convincing Victory

Ndemaze Volleyball Club (NVC) of Yaoundé have been crowned champions of the 2026 Centre Regional Volleyball Open (Ladies), following an impressive 3–1 victory over Mayokani Evolution (MKE) in a thrilling final.

The triumph marks a significant achievement for the Yaoundé-based club, whose determination, discipline and collective strength were evident throughout the competition. Ndemaze’s journey to the championship title was characterised by consistent performances, tactical organisation and a strong competitive spirit, as the ladies overcame every challenge on their path to the trophy.

The champions began their campaign in the pool stage with a convincing 2–0 victory over Cité-U before securing a hard-fought 2–1 win against FAP in their second encounter. These results set the tone for what would become an impressive championship run.

In the semi-final, NVC maintained their momentum with a commanding 2–0 victory over Nyong et Kelle Volleyball Club (NKV), booking their place in the final and moving one step closer to the ultimate prize.

The final encounter against Mayokani Evolution proved to be the decisive test. However, Ndemaze rose to the occasion, displaying composure, resilience and determination to secure a 3–1 victory and lift the 2026 Centre Regional Volleyball Open trophy.

For Ndemaze Volleyball Club, the championship is more than just another title. It is a reflection of the club’s commitment to discovering talent, nurturing potential and building a competitive team anchored on discipline, teamwork, passion and excellence.

Operating under the philosophy “Where Talent Meets Excellence,” NVC continues to position itself as a club determined to make its mark in women’s volleyball, while creating opportunities for talented players to grow, compete and achieve sporting success.

With the Centre Regional title secured, attention now turns to the next major assignment: the National Elite Championship, scheduled to take place in Yaoundé on November 7 and 8, 2026.

The upcoming competition presents another important opportunity for Ndemaze Volleyball Club to test its strength against the country’s top-level opposition and build on the confidence gained from its regional triumph.

The club will be looking to carry its winning mentality, competitive discipline and team spirit into the national championship as it seeks to continue its impressive run.

As the celebrations continue, the message within the Ndemaze camp remains clear: winning is a collective responsibility, excellence is a continuous pursuit, and every competition presents a new opportunity to raise the standard.

Ndemaze Volleyball Club – Building Talent. Inspiring Excellence. Creating Champions. We play to win. We compete to excel. We remain committed to excellence.

By Sylvester Atemnkeng (Doc Moore)

Head of Communications Ndemaze Volleyball Club (NVC), Yaoundé

Is Tchiroma’s FSNC Party, Being Locked Out Of 2027 Legislative, Municipal Polls?

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

On the busy corners of Mvog-Ada and at the crowded taxi stands near Mokolo, one subject has dominated conversation since Tuesday, October 27. Word traveled fast when Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji signed an order suspending all activities of the Front pour le Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC) for three months.

**Issa Tchiroma Bakary, President of the National Salvation Front Party speaking during the press conference ahead of the 2025 Presidential Elections** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The order, which applies nationwide, cites alleged threats to national unity, incitement to violence and disturbances of public order linked to the aftermath of the October 12, 2025 presidential election. FSNC leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who challenged President Paul Biya in that contest, has claimed victory despite official results declaring Biya the winner.

For many residents of the capital, the suspension feels less like a technical measure than a warning.

“We are told this is about public order, but people are asking why now,” said a 36-year-old trader at Mokolo market, who asked not to be named. “Elections are coming. How can a party prepare if it cannot even meet?”

That question sits at the heart of the debate. With legislative and municipal polls expected early next year, three months without activity could seriously limit the party’s ability to mobilise supporters, organise its structures and prepare candidates. Political parties, after all, are built on gatherings, registrations and local meetings—all of which the order places on hold.

A university student in Ngoa-Ekélé said the timing was hard to ignore. “Even if you are not a supporter of Tchiroma, this does not look good for democracy,” she said, speaking anonymously. “A young person like me wants to believe that every party can compete freely. When one is suspended before the campaign, it sends the wrong message.”

Others voiced frustration in more personal terms. “I am tired of hearing that politics is a danger,” said a motorcycle taxi driver in Biyem-Assi. “We are the ones who suffer when tension rises, so we want peace. But peace does not come by silencing people. It comes by talking.”

Legally, the picture remains unclear. The suspension order does not explicitly declare the FSNC ineligible to contest future elections. Whether it could lead to such an outcome would depend on the applicable electoral laws, the party’s legal status and any subsequent decisions by the competent authorities. The government maintains the measure rests solely on public-order concerns.

That distinction offers little comfort to some residents. “They say it is only three months, but three months is exactly the period that matters,” argued a retired civil servant in Bastos, who declined to give his name. “If the party is weakened now, what remains for the elections? This is how a door slowly closes.”

A shopkeeper near Marché Mfoundi struck a more cautious tone, though she too was uneasy. “I do not know the law, and I do not want trouble,” she said. “But I know that when a political party is stopped, many ordinary people feel that their voice has been stopped too.”

Not everyone sees the decision as a prelude to exclusion, yet even those willing to give authorities the benefit of the doubt expressed concern about how it would be carried out. Much, observers note, will depend on the order’s implementation and on whether the FSNC chooses to mount a legal challenge—both of which could prove decisive in shaping the party’s political future.

For now, Yaoundé waits. In bars, offices and buses, the same uncertainty surfaces again and again. “We want elections that everyone believes in,” said the Mokolo trader as she packed up her stall at dusk. “If people feel the game is decided before it begins, why would they come out to vote?”

That is the question the suspension leaves hanging. Is it simply a measure to protect public order, or could it become a pathway to excluding one of the country’s most prominent opposition parties from the next electoral contest? The coming weeks may offer the first answers.

Free Specialist Care Comes Home: Indian Doctors Bring Kidney & Digestive Health Clinics to Cameroon

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroonians are getting access to free consultations with Indian specialists in digestive and kidney diseases, as the Cameroon Red Cross Society and India’s Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai hold a second round of joint medical clinics.

**Indian specialists engage with Cameroon Red Cross officials on the first day of the campaign in Yaoundé** (Photo: CRC)

The consultations took place in Yaoundé on 25 and 26 October, followed by Douala from 27 to 28 October. They are led by Dr. Guruprasad Shetty, a specialist in general surgery and surgical gastroenterology, and Dr. Amit Langote, a nephrologist with expertise in kidney transplantation, home haemodialysis and the management of high blood pressure.

Speaking to journalists in Yaoundé, Dr. Shetty said the team came with a clear purpose: meeting the needs of patients with digestive complaints.

**Dr. Guruprasad Shetty attends to patients during the campaign** *(Photo: CRC)*

“We’re seeing there’s a lot of patients who require gastroenterology support,” he said. “A lot of them suffer from a lot of acid peptic disease, some of them suffer from some liver diseases also.”

The clinics covered diseases of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts, tumours of the liver and pancreas, gallstones, and conditions requiring specialist surgery. On the kidney side, doctors advised patients on preventing and monitoring chronic kidney disease, as well as managing high blood pressure.

Dr. Shetty explained that the goal was to bring care closer to people in their own communities, and that the response so far had encouraged the team to plan further clinics.

“The intent was to come and provide this service to them at a local community level,” he said. “I think it’s been a very good response and we expect to do many such more clinics in the future.”

He added that patients needing more advanced treatment could be supported in travelling to India to receive care at Apollo Hospitals.

Red Cross Secretary General, Bodiong Bombang Renault Gilles praised the Apollo hospital’s contribution and described the campaigned as a continuation of a partnership that began in 2023. He noted that more than 450 Cameroonians received free consultations that year, and said he hoped even more would come forward this time.

The collaboration dates back to July 2023, when the Cameroon Red Cross hosted three Indian physicians from Apollo’s training programme from 11 to 16 July. During that visit, the doctors delivered a conference at the Red Cross event hall and held free consultations in oncology, cardiology, and orthopaedic and spinal surgery.

MINDDEVEL Urges Financial Transparency In Management Of Municipal Housing Estates

Esuka Mafany

The Minister of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL), George Elanga Obam, has called on local authorities to ensure financial transparency in the management of resources that will accrue from the municipal housing estate.

**Minister Elanga Obam inaugurating the water supply in Poli, Faro Division**

Minister Elanga Obam made the call in Poli, Faro Division of the North Region, on Saturday, October 24, during a double ceremony to officially inaugurate the municipal housing estate and a potable water supply network.

The official inauguration ceremony of the magnificent projects was attended by the Secretary General of the North Governor’s Office, Joseph Densou, personal representative of the Governor, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Faro, Dr. Absalom Woloa Monono.

In his inauguration speech, Minister Elanga Obam urged local authorities to lead by example.

“I urge you to put in place a commission that will ensure the recovery of rents, financial transparency, accountability, and proper maintenance of both projects. The money that will be generated from these houses through rents will be used to repay the contracted loan,” he said.

The Mayor of the Poli Municipality, HRH El Hadj Sadou Yaouba, noted that the realization of both projects was eloquent proof that the policy of decentralization, as prescribed by the Head of State, is concrete and not a myth.

Acting like Oliver Twist, Mayor Sadou expressed the desire for the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) to accompany the council in financing other key projects that will go a long way toward improving the living conditions of the population.

**Cross-section of the municipal housing estate in Poli, Faro Division**

He mentioned the installation of solar energy, the construction of a multipurpose hall, modern market stores, and the realization of a modern motorcycle park, among others.

Presenting the municipal housing estate, the representative of the General Manager of FEICOM said the realization of both projects falls within the National Strategic Development Plan, SND 2020–2030, which aims to ensure quality healthcare and provide decent living conditions for all.

The realization of the twenty-four apartments cost about FCFA 381,184,091. Each apartment is made up of a veranda, a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a balcony.

With a population of about 57,000, the installation of the potable water supply network will go a long way toward addressing the problem of acute water shortage in the municipality.

Constructed to the tune of about FCFA 288,602,205, the Poli potable water supply network is composed of four boreholes, a water reservoir, twenty-one taps installed around the municipality, and a distribution point.

Minister Elanga Obam Hails FEICOM For Constructing New Primary School In Dembo

By Esuka Mafany

Decentralization and Local Development Minister George Elanga Obam has praised the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) and local authorities for building and equipping the Government Primary School Administrative Center in Dembo.

**Minister George Elanga Obam cutting the inaugural ribbon**

The Minister was speaking on Friday, October 23, during the official inauguration of the school in Dembo, a border locality in the Benoue Division of the North Region. He expressed great satisfaction with the quality of the infrastructure.

The ceremony drew a broad cross-section of the population, including the Governor of the North Region, Jean Abate Edi’i, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Benoue, Oumarou Haman Wabi.

“I am pleased to see the involvement of FEICOM, the education community, and the administrative and traditional authorities in the realization of this magnificent project,” the Minister said.

Before the Minister’s address, the Mayor of Dembo, Dr. Hayatou Hamagado, presented some of the major education and healthcare projects completed in the municipality through effective decentralization. He then appealed to the government, through the Minister, to deploy more teachers and healthcare personnel to Dembo to meet the population’s growing needs in both sectors.

Representing the FEICOM General Manager, the Director in charge of Follow-up and Investment said the project cost about 160 million FCFA. He stressed that the funding was a gift from FEICOM to the people of Dembo and not a loan.

**Cross Section of the newly constructed Government Primary School and administrative center in Dembo**

The new school comprises two blocks of three classrooms each and an administrative block housing the head teacher’s office, a storeroom and a meeting room. It also includes the head teacher’s residence, a solar-powered borehole, and a toilet block with six compartments for both boys and girls. Each classroom is furnished with a teacher’s chair and table, and the school has 30 benches in total.

Created in 1993, the Dembo municipality has about 50,000 inhabitants and covers roughly 750 square kilometres. Decentralization has enabled it to benefit from key projects, particularly in education, healthcare and water supply.

In education, 106 classrooms have been built and furnished with benches and other essential equipment. Five buildings have been constructed to house teachers, a nursery school has been built and equipped, and six primary schools have been created. The municipality has also seen about 200 boreholes drilled, 12 health centres built, and an ambulance donated to the district hospital.

2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Pagou Calls Up 5 Newcomers, Recalls Ebosse & Drops Kofane For Namibia Clash

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon coach David Pagou has handed first senior call-ups to five players and brought back defender Enzo Ebosse for a pair of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Namibia in November.

**David Pagou, Coach of the Cameroon Indomitable Lions**

Pagou announced his squad on Monday October 26 for the third and fourth rounds of qualifying for the 2027 tournament, scheduled for Nov. 12 and 16. The 28-man squad has four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and four forwards.

The biggest talking point is the attack. Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane and Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong who are both left out. Pagou gave no public reason for Etta Eyong’s omission, though it may be meant to give him more time to recover fully.

In their absence, Pagou will lean on Dorinel Yondjo, Nsongo Tonfack, Geovanni Vianney Agbor Ndjee and Ivan Cedric Bikoue Embolo.

Among the newcomers, 19-year-old Ivan Jordan Nana recently captained Cameroon’s Under-20 side to the UNIFFAC title. Agbor Ndjee, a forward, plays for Copenhagen. The other three debutants were not identified in the reports reviewed for this article.

Ebosse’s recall ends a long absence. The Udinese defender has not played for Cameroon since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Manchester United midfielder Carlos Baleba also returns after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of the first two group games.

Domestic players got a look as well. Colombe Sportive goalkeeper Edouard Sombang and midfielder Jean Hugues Eyango Priso were both included. Bryan Mbeumo is also in the midfield group.

Former Cameroon defender Aaron Mbimbe said the selection fits Pagou’s plans. He described it as a mix of stability and renewal rather than wholesale change.

Group G: Cameroon lead, but the margin is thin

Cameroon’s group also contains Namibia, Comoros and Congo. In round one, Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1 and Namibia beat Congo 1-0. In round two, Comoros beat Namibia 1-0 and Congo held Cameroon to a 1-1 draw.

That leaves Cameroon first with four points. Comoros and Namibia follow with three each, and Congo have one. A win over Namibia would lift Cameroon to seven points. A stumble would leave the group tightly bunched.

The top two teams in the group qualify for the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

What to watch

Pagou’s approach is to test new players in competitive games rather than friendlies. The matches against Namibia will show whether a young, reshaped attack can score without Kofane and Etta Eyong, and whether Ebosse’s return steadies the defence.

Cameroon’s U-20 Lions Reclaim UNIFFAC Crown and Book a Ticket to Ghana

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s youngest Lions have ended a painful wait. The U-20 squad won the 2026 UNIFFAC tournament, staged in Cameroon from October 15 to 24, and the title brings a return to the continental stage after two editions on the sidelines.

**Cameroon’s U-20 Lions celebrate their UNIFFAC triumph in Yaoundé**

A single strike settles the final

In front of a home crowd in Yaoundé, Cameroon edged the Central African Republic 1-0 in the decider. Jean François Manguele made the difference in the 19th minute, curling home a free kick that proved to be the only goal of the afternoon.

The visitors thought they had levelled just before the half-hour mark, in the 36th minute, but the referee ruled the effort out. Cameroon then defended their advantage until the final whistle.

The result was also a repeat of an earlier meeting. The two sides had already faced each other in the group stage on October 18, when the hosts won 2-0.

A flawless campaign

Cameroon were consistent throughout, winning all four of their matches. They scored ten goals and conceded just one. Samuel Achu led the attack with five goals, making him the squad’s standout performer.

Redemption for a team with a point to prove

For coach Yvan Kenmoe and his players, the trophy carries extra meaning. Cameroon had not featured at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations since the 2021 edition in Mauritania, where they went out in the quarter-finals. Qualification then slipped away twice.

In the run-up to the 2023 tournament in Egypt, a 1-0 loss to the Central African Republic ended their hopes. For the 2025 edition, they topped their group in Brazzaville but were beaten by DR Congo on penalties in the semi-final after a 1-1 draw.

The Central African Republic, for their part, will still be heading to Ghana, where they will appear at the U-20 AFCON for the fourth edition in a row.

What awaits in Ghana

The 2027 tournament will feature twelve teams, and Ghana will host it for only the second time, after 1999. The four semi-finalists will earn places at the 2027 U-20 World Cup, jointly hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Ten teams have already secured their places:

Ghana (hosts) and Burkina Faso (WAFU Zone B)
Morocco and Egypt (UNAF)
Cameroon and the Central African Republic (UNIFFAC)
Sudan and Tanzania (CECAFA)
South Africa and Mozambique (COSAFA)

The last two berths will be decided within WAFU Zone A, where Guinea, The Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Mauritania are still in contention.

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