Burkina Faso and Cameroon Set to Clash in Group B Opener at U17 AFCON
Burkina Faso and Cameroon will face off in their first match of the Group B at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Historically, Burkina Faso has performed well against Cameroon, having drawn two and won one of their past encounters. Each team has a notable history in the tournament, with Burkina Faso looking to capitalize on its past success and Cameroon aiming to break free from recent struggles.
Burkina Faso and Cameroon will inaugurate their Group B campaign at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, with the match set to commence at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Monday at 17:00 local time (GMT). This encounter marks the fourth meeting in tournament history between the two teams, previously ending in two draws and one victory for Burkina Faso. All prior matchups have occurred in group stages.
Their inaugural matches in 1999 and 2001 concluded with a score of 1-1. Contrastingly, their latest encounter in 2023 witnessed Burkina Faso claiming a 2-1 win during their final group game. Historically, whenever they have been grouped, Burkina Faso has advanced on all three occasions, while Cameroon has progressed just once in 1999.
In terms of performance, Burkina Faso has consistently excelled, ending in the top three during all encounters at these finals, securing runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2001, and attaining a third place in 2023. Burkina Faso’s finals history includes eight appearances, with titles won in 2011 and consecutive second-place finishes.
They have only failed to advance past the group stage twice, in 2005 and 2007. Their inaugural tournament appearance in 1999 led them to the final following a series of draws and a decisive victory over the host nation, Guinea.
In 2001, after a strong showing in group play, they again reached the final but lost to Nigeria. Notably, in 2011, despite losing their opening match to Rwanda, they rebounded by defeating Senegal and Egypt, ultimately winning the tournament.
Edouard Dambre, the sole player outside Burkina Faso, is currently active in Qatar with Al Sad. On the other hand, Cameroon is contesting their ninth tournament, having two championships from 2003 and 2019. They have struggled recently, with only two wins in their previous eight opening matches.
After a series of defeats in opening games in 2003, 2009, 2015, and 2017, Cameroon broke the trend in 2019 with a decisive victory over Guinea. Their last two encounters with Burkina Faso in 2023 resulted in losses for Cameroon, reflecting their challenging record against West African teams.
Cameroon’s coach, Alioum Saidou, a former international player with notable experience, will strive to elevate the U17 team’s performance to mirror that of their senior counterparts, who were champions during the 1988 AFCON.
In summary, the upcoming clash between Burkina Faso and Cameroon presents a historical rivalry within the framework of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso’s track record shows consistent advancement in the tournament and past victories against Cameroon, while Cameroon seeks to restore its status after a series of disappointing performances. Both teams will aim for a strong start in their Group B journey, setting the tone for their respective campaigns.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
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