CAF Considers Launch Of U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from 2027

CAF Considers Launch Of U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from 2027

By Niyi Busari 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering the introduction of a new Under-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the competition potentially launching as early as 2027, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The proposed tournament would create an additional continental platform for Africa’s emerging female footballers and strengthen the development pathway between grassroots football, youth international competition and the senior game.

CAF has yet to formally confirm the competition, with the project still subject to the necessary sporting, organisational and logistical requirements. Details including the competition format, qualification process, number of participating teams and host country would need to be determined before an official launch.

If approved, the U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations would give young players another opportunity to gain experience in high-level international competition while allowing national associations to identify and develop talent at an earlier stage.

Strengthening the Women’s Football Pathway

The proposed competition comes at a time of growing momentum for women’s football in Africa. CAF has increasingly placed youth development and women’s football at the centre of its wider development strategy.

The introduction of a dedicated U-17 continental championship would provide another important competitive pathway for players progressing through national youth programmes. It could also help national associations build stronger structures around scouting, coaching, player development and international competition.

Africa has already demonstrated its ability to produce highly competitive youth teams on the global stage. In July 2026, Kenya’s Junior Starlets secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the second time in their history, while Nigeria and Ghana also secured places at the 2026 global tournament.

These results underline the depth of emerging female talent across the continent and the potential benefits of providing young players with more regular high-level competition.

Potential World Cup Qualification Role

One of the key issues CAF would have to determine is whether the proposed continental tournament would also serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

CAF’s existing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for men serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, illustrating how continental youth championships can combine player development with a route to the global stage.

A similar model for the women’s game could give Africa’s leading U-17 teams a structured pathway to compete for continental honours while pursuing qualification for the global championship.

More Opportunities for Young Female Players

Beyond competition, a dedicated U-17 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations could provide opportunities for coaches, referees, match officials and other football professionals working within the women’s game.

CAF has already incorporated broader development initiatives into its youth competitions, including safeguarding programmes designed to help create safer environments for young players.

The proposed tournament could therefore become more than a championship, potentially serving as part of a broader development programme focused on player welfare, coaching education, talent identification and the professionalisation of women’s football.

For now, however, the competition remains under consideration. CAF will need to complete its assessment and establish the necessary sporting and organisational framework before a formal decision is made.

If approved, the tournament would represent another significant step in CAF’s efforts to expand opportunities for young female footballers and build a stronger long-term pathway into African women’s football.