Teams wrap up friendlies before TotalEnergies U17 AFCON kick-off

Teams that have qualified for the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria 2023, stepped up preparations weeks to the tournament, playing friendly matches to gauge their readiness and test their systems ahead of what is expected to be a mouth-watering tournament.

Most of the teams based their preparations at home while some, like Cameroon, decided to have pre-tournament camps in North African countries to acclimatize.

The Senegalese team, which looks to follow in the footsteps of the senior compatriots who have won both the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) respectively have had top friendly matches against Cameroon winning both; 1-0 and 2-1.

They also faced Morocco, losing 3-2 and Zambia, another game which they suffered defeat, going down 4-2. They also lost to Burkina Faso 2-1

Meanwhile, Cameroon, the defending champions, had mixed results in their friendly matches, including the back to back losses against Senegal. They also faced the junior teams of Tunisian clubs, winning in all three matches.

They beat Espérance 1-0, Club Africain 3-2, and Etoile du Sahel 2-1.

The Moroccan team also organized several friendly matches during its preparation. On top of their victory against Senegal, they defeated Mali 1-0 before suffering a 2-1 defeat in a second fixture against the West Africans.

Hosts Algeria had several friendly matches against international opponents and local clubs. They drew 3-3 with Japan, beat Comoros 3-2 and tied with Mali 2-2.

Record qualifiers Nigeria were also busy in their preparations, playing 11 friendly matches and winning 10, most of them against local clubs and academies.

The South Sudanese team, which is competing for the first time, played 4 games and won all. They beat the South Sudanese Under-20 team which was freshly back from their own Cup of Nations in Egypt 1-0, Future Academy 4-2, and Hope Academy 5-0.

Zambia had two friendly matches, playing against Zambian top flight club Napsa Stars and lost 4-1, then went on to win 4-2 against hosts Algeria when they played in Algiers, just after jetting in.

Friendly match results:

Senegal

1-0, 2-1 v Cameroon, 1-2 v Burkina Faso, 2-4 v Zambia,

Nigeria

3 -1 v Gladimia, 9-2 v Siawan Academia, 5-1 vs FC Mail, 3-0 AC Rome, 3-0 v Kano Pillars

Cameroon

1-0 v Esperance, 3-2 v Club Africain, 2-1 vs Etoile du Sahel

South Sudan

8-1 v Al Kifah Academy, 1-0 v South Sudan U20, 4-2 v Future Academy, 5-0 v Academy of Hope

Algeria

3-1 v Comoros, 2-2 v Mali, 3-3 v Japan

Zambia

1-4 vs Napsa Stars

Morocco

1-0, 1-2 v Mali, 3-2 v Senegal,

Congo

2-0 v Diables Noirs.