The Guinean U17 football team, also known as the Syli Cadet, returned to Conakry on Monday, September 21, 2026, after qualifying for the upcoming African Nations Cup (CAN) U17, scheduled to take place in Morocco. The team was welcomed at the Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport by supporters and several sports officials. This qualification marks a significant milestone for Guinean football, as the team has been absent from the competition for several years.
The team's qualification was secured after a 2-0 victory over Liberia in the third-place match of the UFOA-A qualifying tournament, held at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar on Saturday, September 20. The win earned Guinea a spot in the final phase of the CAN U17, a feat that has been achieved after seven years of hard work and dedication. The team's coach, Sékouba Camara, expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating that it was a reward for the team's efforts and hard work.
Coach Sékouba Camara emphasized that the team's primary objective was to qualify for the CAN U17, and now that it has been achieved, the focus will shift to preparing for the final phase. He also mentioned that the team's ultimate goal is to qualify for the U17 World Cup. Camara praised his players and staff for their performance, saying that they have made the country proud.
Fodé Moussa Diallo, the team's captain and one of its key players, dedicated the qualification to the entire Guinean people and praised the support received during the competition. He expressed his pride in being part of the team that has achieved this milestone and thanked the fans for their unwavering support.
The Guinean Football Federation officials, including Secretary General Adjoint Mamady Kaba, welcomed the team back home and highlighted the importance of this achievement for the development of grassroots football in Guinea. Kaba emphasized the need to create better conditions to support these young talents as they progress to higher categories.
Aboubacar Diakité, the head of the Guinean delegation to Dakar, also praised the team's unity and mobilization during the competition. He thanked the players, technical staff, Sports Minister, and Head of State Mamadi Doumbouya for their support for Guinean sports.
With this qualification, the Syli Cadet will now focus on preparing for the final phase of the CAN U17 in Morocco, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the U17 World Cup. The team's return to the competition marks a new chapter in Guinean football, and fans are eagerly awaiting the team's performance in the upcoming tournament.
Key points
- The Guinean U17 team qualified for the CAN U17 in Morocco after a 2-0 victory over Liberia in the UFOA-A qualifying tournament.
