Côte d'Ivoire Profile – CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
After missing three consecutive editions, Côte d'Ivoire is making a grand return to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The last time the Young Elephants participated was in 2015, where they were eliminated in the first round.
The West African nation, which won the competition in 2013 is preparing for its 6th participation in the youth competition. Coach Bassiriki Diabaté and his team are aiming for a successful return to this competition, which will take place between 30 March - 29 April 19 in Morocco.
How They Qualified
Côte d'Ivoire qualified by finishing second in the WAFU B Zonal qualifiers held in May 2024 in Ghana. After an impressive run, the Young Elephants lost in the final to Burkina Faso, who won 3-1 at the University of Ghana Stadium.
In Group A, alongside Ghana and Benin, the Ivorians had a tough start to the competition, suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Ghana. However, their 1-0 victory on match day two of the competition against Benin opened a door to the semi-finals, where they defeated Nigeria 1-0, thanks to a goal from Youbah Coulibaly.
Competition History
Côte d'Ivoire is preparing for its sixth participation in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Their first appearance was in 1997, where they had a difficult learning experience, being eliminated in the first round.
After missing the next three editions, they returned in 2005 to finish in third place. Missing out again in 2007 and 2009, the Ivorian U-17 team came back in 2011, finishing fourth, before winning their only title in the tournament in 2013 in Morocco.
Since the 2015 edition, where they failed to progress past the group stages, Côte d'Ivoire has not appeared in the competition.
Players to Watch
Youbah Coulibaly
His goal against Nigeria in the semifinals of the qualifiers was crucial for Côte d'Ivoire’s qualification. His significant presence up front earned him the Man of the Match award. The 16-year-old AFAD striker possesses great technical and athletic qualities, along with a goal-scoring instinct that makes him a valuable asset in Coach Bassiriki Diabaté's plans.
Adama Diabaté
His goal against Benin (1-0) on day two of the qualifiers saved Côte d'Ivoire from elimination after their heavy 5-1 defeat to Ghana. Diabaté also assisted Youbah Coulibaly’s goal in the semifinal against Nigeria. A true midfield metronome, the ASFA player elevates the Ivorian game with his brilliant playmaking, passing ability, and clinical finishing.
Coach and Tactical Approach
Bassiriki Diabaté has been in charge of the Côte d'Ivoire U-17 team since October 2022. He successfully guided the team to the Morocco finals, marking a major milestone in his tenure.
The former Racing Club d’Abidjan coach (51-years-old) was named Ivorian Coach of the Year for the 2019-2020 season. He is a proponent of attractive, fluid football, emphasizing collective organization where each player understands their role, both in attack and defense.
Expectations and Group D Analysis
Côte d'Ivoire is in Group D, alongside Mali, Angola, and the Central African Republic. Their first challenge will be to get out of this tricky group.
• Mali
On paper, Mali is undoubtedly the strongest opponent for Côte d'Ivoire in Group D. The two teams have each won one of their previous encounters in this competition: Mali won 1-0 in 2015, avenging their 2011 2-1 loss to the Young Elephants.
• Angola
Angola is also one of the teams to watch in Morocco. Their squad is filled with technical and hardworking players. Their best performance in the tournament came in 2019 when they finished in third place. Although not the favourites in Group D, Angola has the potential to spring a surprise.
• Central African Republic
Despite being debutants in the competition, Central African Republic are full of ambition. During the recent UNIFFAC tournament, the team demonstrated great resilience, which will serve them well against any opponent in the competition.