Qualifs UFOA- B U17 2026: 29 cadet Cheetahs summoned for a training camp

With only a few months left before the UFOA-B qualifying tournament for the upcoming U17 African Cup of Nations, the national team of Benin is actively continuing its preparation. The interim coach, Frédéric Hounkponou, has initiated a new gathering this Monday, June 29, with a streamlined group of 29 players. After an initial camp organized last May, which allowed the observation of nearly sixty young talents, the coaching staff is now moving to a more structured phase of its preparation.

The objective is clear: to shape a competitive group capable of playing key roles in the qualifying tournament. This second camp runs from June 29 to July 5 at the Missérété Excellence Centre, with a program of intensive training sessions and friendly matches designed to assess the players’ understanding and team cohesion.

A Broad List but Already Narrowed

Continuing with the detection work, the coach has called up a group made up of three goalkeepers, eleven defenders, ten midfielders, and eight forwards. This selection reflects the staff’s desire to maintain strong competition in all positions. Among the selected players, several are already playing in recognized training centers in the country, while others are abroad, including some based in France and Spain, highlighting the diaspora increasingly monitored by the technical staff.

This intermediate camp is a crucial step in the selection process. The technical staff intends to refine its choices, test different combinations, and evaluate the players’ ability to adapt to the demands of high-level competition. Ultimately, the goal is to build a competitive team for the UFOA-B U17 qualifying tournament, scheduled from November 16 to 29, 2026, in Burkina Faso, with the aim of qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations in the category.

The List of Called-Up Players

Goalkeepers

FAROUK Rachidi (JSCA)
ALASSANE Faozane (Loto-Popo)
TOURE Markouk (Bassila)

Defenders

GANDONOU Falop (AS TAM)
GOMINA Aminou (USSK)
ALASSANE Mohamed (T Hors Pair80)
KPOKILIKPO Ayouba (CAFO)
KATCHEKPELE Machalaou (CAFO)
BONI BOUKARY Hamouza (CE Missérété)
FAGBOHOUN Zorif (CE Missérété)
KOUDENOUKPO Gérard (CE Missérété)

Midfielders

DASSI Owen (CEFES)
DOSSOU YOVO Benoit (CE Missérété)
MEVOWANOU Abel (AS TAM)
HOWANOU Chaphath (ASAC du Bénin)
HOUNHOUI Vianney (AS Lagarde)
SOKPINTIN Divin (Spain)
FATON Parfait (France)
ADEOTCHOUN Bienvenu (CEFES)
HOUSSOU Wilfrid (Ewédjè FC)
OLANIGNAN Bayan (AS TAM)
GANHOUTODE Précieux (AS UMSA)

Forwards

ADETOLA Razack (Dream Éduc Foot)
NOUNAGNON NOUKPO Kevin (CE Missérété)
MEVOGNON Rivaldo Peres (CE Missérété)
MAMAM Bachirou (USSK)
BAH LEMAN Noureni (Djougou)
AHEHEHINNOU Carlos (CE Missérété)
IBRAHIM Moussa (Kaba SA)
DJARRA Ismaël (Canada)