UNIFFAC U-17 Qualifiers: Cameroon start strong, DR Congo triumph over Gabon
Cameroon inflicted a heavy defeat on the Central African Republic (CAR) with a 9-0 scoreline in the opening match of the UNIFFAC Qualifiers of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, 16 February in Douala.
The DR Congo also started with a solid 3-1 win against Gabon.
In their commanding win over CAR, Franck Mafany Luma, particularly stood with a hat-trick (2nd, 4th, 35th). Abraham Njanja Kolly (7th, 20th), Noel Doumbogo (13th, 64th) each scored a brace, while the other goal for Cameroon was netted by Etoundi Eyen just before halftime.
In the second match of the day, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) overcame Gabon 3-1. Wazafa Titi scored a hat-trick (13th, 73rd, 90+2) to light up the match and was deservedly named the man of the match.
Gabon's sole goal came from Noguy Nlemadielemmane in injury time of the first half (45+2).
At the end of the first day, Cameroon is in first place with 3 points and a +9 goal difference, followed by DRC with 3 points and a +2 goal difference. Gabon is in 3rd place, and the Central African Republic is at the bottom with no points.
Match Day 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 February where Gabon will need a positive result against the host country to keep its qualification hopes alive. Likewise, the Central African Republic will be fighting for survival against the DRC.
The UNIFFAC Qualifiers are played in a round-robin format and will see the top two finishers representing the Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 between 30 March and 19 April 2025.
The UNIFFAC champion will play in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Egypt, while the runner-up will be in Group D with Mali, Angola, and Cote d'Ivoire.
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