U-17 AFCON: Cameroon Looks to Dent Mali’s Quarterfinals Qualification

Mali is one of the few nations along with Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia, to have already lifted the title twice By Boris Esono Nwenfor [caption id="attachment_106078" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cameroon is the defending Under 17 AFCON champion and hopes to win it this year for the third time[/caption] BUEA, May 3, 2023 – After failing to face off against South Sudan due to the disqualification of the latter, the Under 17 Lions of Cameroon will begin the defence of their Under 17 TotalEnergies AFCON title against two-times champions Mali on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Annaba, Algeria. The Indomitable Lions beat Guinea on penalties in the previous tournament in 2019 to collect their second continental title. Cameroon coach Serge Mimpo says the boys are in positive spirits and good form to battle it out in Algeria. Team captain, Sony Evina speaking to the press expressed determination amongst the squad to win the competition and make yet another history for team Cameroon in African football. The team's marksman added that the conviviality and team spirit keep them alive and expectant. Cameroon heads into this game on the back of 8 straight friendly victories against sides in Cameroon and Tunisia. The last three were victories against Esperance Tunis, Club Africain and Etoile Sportive de Sahel. Defender Ewang Muabe, a player with South West Regional League side Fako United FC says he is set for the game against Mali as he did against South Sudan despite that the game did not take place. “The atmosphere is quite good, all of us have one focus. We have an aim to achieve and our focus is on the next game,” Muable said. “There is no pressure, there is no fear, we are calm with what the staff have been giving us we are hoping for a victory. We are not going there to act like it is a child’s play. We are going there like it is war, to challenge them since as they are two times champions, we want to get the victory.” Mali earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in Annaba on Monday, May 1 and the win sees the side moved top of the three-team Group C, and in a good position to make the quarter-finals. Doumbia scored in the 25th minute when he brilliantly picked up a pass from Ange Martial Tia, setting himself up with the first touch and scoring with a low side-footed effort with his second. [caption id="attachment_106079" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A victory for Mali against Cameroon takes the side to the Quarterfinals of the under 17 AFCON[/caption] Mali’s head coach Soumaïla Coulibaly said: “It's a competition we've won twice but that doesn't change anything. I didn't win that as a coach, I didn't win it as a player. We are here in Annaba to win.” Skipper Ibrahima Diarra is also optimistic that the players are well versed with the difficulty expected in the tournament, but reiterates they will leave everything on the pitch to win. “There is no opponent who scares us. We are here to win every match. We will play like in the UFOA playoffs. We are not going to change. We rely on our game plan and don't worry about the opponent,” the skipper said.