The city of Libreville, Gabon, is currently hosting the inaugural Uniffac U20 women's football tournament, which kicked off on November 5, 2026. The tournament, set to conclude on November 10, 2026, features five national teams from Central Africa, including Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, and Chad, as well as the Gabonese club, Sporting Club Nyanga. The event is organized by the Collective of Central African Women's Football (Coffac) with the support of FIFA.

The tournament's opening match saw Sporting Club Nyanga, the reigning champion of the Estuaire League, take on the Gabon national team. Nyanga emerged victorious, winning 5-2 against Gabon. The goals were scored by Pavelle Onana, Thienny Nkoumou, who scored a quadruple, while Leonie Mbougou Mba and Odette Ntsame Zogo scored for Gabon. The competition format has all teams facing each other in a single match, aiming to provide a platform for sports confrontation, preparation, and sharing of experiences among the participating teams.

The primary objective of the tournament is to promote and develop women's football in the Central African region. According to Coffac, the event seeks to offer a framework for the participating teams to gain valuable experience and exposure. As the host country, Gabon reaffirms its commitment to empowering women's football and creating more opportunities for female players. The tournament has garnered significant attention, with other matches played on the first day, including Congo versus Sao Tome and Principe, which ended 4-1, and Central African Republic against Chad, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The participating teams are competing fiercely, with the aim of emerging victorious in the inaugural edition of the tournament. The event has brought together talented young players from across the region, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills. The support of FIFA has been instrumental in making this tournament a reality, highlighting the organization's commitment to promoting women's football globally.

The city of Libreville is providing a vibrant atmosphere for the tournament, with the Nzeng-Ayong stadium hosting the matches. The event has generated significant interest among football fans in Gabon and beyond, with many attending the matches to cheer on their favorite teams. The tournament's success will likely have a positive impact on the development of women's football in Central Africa.

As the tournament progresses, teams will continue to battle it out for the top spot. With a mix of experienced and young players, the competition promises to be exciting and unpredictable. The eventual winner will be crowned the champion of the inaugural Uniffac U20 women's football tournament, marking a significant milestone in the region's football history.

The Uniffac U20 women's football tournament is a significant step towards promoting women's football in Central Africa. The event's success will be evaluated based on its impact on the development of women's football in the region and the exposure it provides to young players. Key points include:

Key points

  • The tournament features six teams from Central Africa, including five national teams and one club team.
  • The event aims to promote and develop women's football in the region.
  • The tournament is supported by FIFA and organized by Coffac.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.