Central African Republic Profile

The Central African Republic will make its debut in the  TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations this year in Morocco. The team aims to leave its mark on this competition despite being newcomers.

How they qualified

The Fauves U-17 secured their qualification after an impressive run in the UNIFFAC Zonal qualifiers held in Douala, Cameroon in February this year. The team finished second in the tournament, behind host country Cameroon, but ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon.

Despite a catastrophic start with a heavy 9-0 loss to Cameroon, the team showed remarkable mental resilience. They won their next two matches: 3-2 against DRC and 1-0 against Gabon, ensuring their qualification for the final phase of the competition.

Players to watch

• Lucres Betouloum Bonai
  Lucres is the engine of the Central African Republic midfield. The DFC8 player, born in 2008, was a key figure in his team's qualification. With great technical skills and an exceptional vision of the game, Lucres is the player on whom coach Dertin Boulengue’s strategy largely depends on.

• Anan Jefferson OTTO
  Another important player in midfield, Anan Jefferson OTTO, born in 2009 was pivotal in the UNIFFAC tournament, especially with a double in the 3-2 win against DRC. This performance allowed the Central African Republic to bounce back after the heavy loss to Cameroon.

Coach and tactical approach

• Dertin Boulengue
  Coach Dertin Boulengue proved in the UNIFFAC tournament that he is a talented coach. His philosophy is primarily based on ball possession. He prioritizes structured attacks and insists that his players avoid playing long balls recklessly. However, when facing stronger opponents, he may opt for quick transitions, accepting a certain amount of pressure before countering effectively.

Expectations and Group D Analysis

The Central African Republic is seen as the main outsider in Group D, where they will face giants like Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Angola. Although this team is relatively new to the competition, they are not lacking in ambition and are preparing for the big challenges ahead.

• Mali (winners in 2015 and 2017)
  Mali, with its impressive experience will be one of the toughest opponents for the Central African Republic. However, the Central African Republic team is ready to do everything they can to pull off an upset against this powerhouse.

• Côte d'Ivoire (winners in 2013)
  The Ivorian team, though absent in recent years, remains one of the favourites in Group D. CAR  will need to put forth its full strength to compete with a team like Côte d'Ivoire.

• Angola (third place in 2019)
  Angola is also a solid team that has shown promising qualities in the past. The Fauves will have their chance to create a surprise against Angola.

Although the Central African Republic is not the most experienced team in this group, their impressive qualification run shows that they are ready to achieve great things in this tournament.