2023 U-17 AFCON Defending champions, Cameroon, suffer humiliating group stage exit.

The boys of Coach Serge Mimpo suffered a shocking first round exit from the continental youth competition after being stunned by a late comeback win from Burkina Faso.

The topsy-turvy group C clash was played on Sunday May 7 at the Annaba Omnisport Stadium.  Cameroon headed into the game knowing that another defeat will send them packing.

The Central African nation lost their opening group fixture to Mali 0-2 which complicated their qualification chances. According the new regulations of the competition from the Confederation of African Football, CAF, a draw could have been enough to help them progress.

The U-17 Lions were already a step into the knock-out stages at halftime.

Things got better when they gave their chances of securing a spot a huge boost as group C runners-up when they took the lead at the half hour mark. Emblematic forward, Dorinel Yondjo, finished off a brilliant solo effort, taking out the goalkeeper and a defender with a single move before slotting the ball before an empty net. 

They had enough chances to take the game to bed but failed. Their inability to convert proved costly in the late stages of the game as Burkina Faso clawed back. 

Souleymane Alio scored a brace within two minutes as the West African’s came from behind to snatch a win and qualified at the expense of Cameroon. Cameroon U17 Lions tried to react but it was nowhere near enough. They finished the tournament with two defeats. They scored one goal and conceded four times.

The two-time champions were mooted as favourites to win the title after their exciting build-up but ultimately failed to live up to the billing.

Familiar theme

The collapse of the various selections of the Cameroon national football team continued with another familiar story. The exit of the U-17 lions has increased pressure on the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o, whose era has suffered numerous setbacks.

Experts believe it is imperative for the FECAFOOT supremo to address the fall from grace of the national teams. Also, his decision to appoint what many have termed ‘his friends’ to coaching roles within the national football team, they say, have not paid dividends and may have contributed to the decline of football.

The scale of the setback can no longer be underestimated. However, despite the gloom of defeat, some fans still believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.