11/09/2026
Mali and Liberia Open WAFU-A U-17 Campaigns with 1-1 Draw
By Jeff Kaikai
Mali and Liberia began their WAFU-A Under-17 Championship campaigns with a 1-1 draw in Dakar, as both teams collected a point from their opening Group B encounter.
The match was played on Tuesday at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, with neither side able to find the breakthrough before halftime. The first half ended goalless, with both teams heading into the dressing room level at 0-0.
The goals finally arrived after the break, with Mali and Liberia each finding the back of the net to produce a 1-1 scoreline. Neither team could score a decisive second goal, forcing the two sides to settle for a share of the points.
The result leaves Mali and Liberia level on one point at the top of Group B after the opening match.
The WAFU-A Under-17 Championship also serves as a qualifying competition for the 2027 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, giving participating teams an opportunity to move closer to securing a place at the continental tournament.
Group B has been reduced to three teams following the disqualification of Guinea-Bissau over an age-fraud case.
Guinea are the remaining team yet to begin their campaign. Their scheduled opening match was against Guinea-Bissau, but following Guinea-Bissau’s removal from the competition, Guinea will now begin their tournament against Liberia in the second round of matches.
The 1-1 draw therefore gives both Mali and Liberia an important early point as the group moves into its next stage. With only three teams remaining, every point could prove crucial in determining who advances.
Senegal Make Strong Start
Elsewhere in the WAFU-A Under-17 Championship, defending champions Senegal made an impressive start to their title defence in Group A.
The Young Lions recorded the biggest victory of the opening round, defeating Mauritania 4-0 to immediately establish themselves as early favorites in the group.
In the other Group A fixture, Gambia also secured a convincing victory, beating Sierra Leone 4-1.
Senegal currently lead Group A, while Gambia sit in second place following their strong opening-day performance.
