The Syli Cadet, Guinea's U17 team, was welcomed back home to Conakry on Monday, September 21, 2026, after securing their spot in the upcoming Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN) U17 in Morocco. The team was received at the Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport by enthusiastic supporters and several sports officials. This qualification was achieved after a 2-0 win against Liberia on Saturday, September 20, in the third-place match of the UFOA-A qualifying tournament held at Dakar's Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium.
The team's qualification marks a significant milestone, as it ends an 8-year absence from the CAN U17. According to coach Sékouba Camara, this achievement is a testament to the team's hard work and determination. He expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating that the primary objective was to secure qualification, which they have successfully accomplished. Camara also emphasized that the team's next goal is to qualify for the World Cup.
Fodé Moussa Traoré, the team's captain and key player, attributed the success to the support of the Guinean people. He expressed gratitude to the fans and the team's staff, highlighting the importance of this qualification. Traoré also emphasized the team's pride in validating their qualification with their coéquipiers and staff.
The Guinean Football Federation is celebrating this achievement as part of its efforts to restructure the country's grassroots football. Mamady Kaba, the federation's deputy secretary-general, highlighted the strategic significance of this result, emphasizing the need to create an environment that fosters talent development. Kaba welcomed the team with enthusiasm, thanking them for bringing honor and pride to the country.
Aboubacar Diakité, head of the Guinean delegation to Dakar, praised the unity and solidarity that characterized the team's journey throughout the competition. He thanked the players, technical staff, Sports Minister, and Head of State, Mamadi Doumbouya, for their support of Guinean sports. Diakité emphasized that the team's qualification was a collective effort, with a single objective: to qualify for the CAN U17.
With their qualification secured, the Syli Cadet will now focus on preparing for the CAN U17 in Morocco. The team's ambition is to secure one of the qualifying spots for the U17 World Cup. The team's return to Conakry has been marked by celebrations, with fans and officials alike hailing the team's achievement.
As the Syli Cadet looks forward to the CAN U17, the team's success has sparked renewed optimism about Guinea's football prospects. The team's qualification is seen as a significant step towards rebuilding and strengthening the country's football structures. With a renewed focus on grassroots development, Guinea aims to produce more talented players and competitive teams in the future.
Key points
- The Syli Cadet ended an 8-year absence from the CAN U17 by qualifying for the tournament in Morocco.
