Saidou Alioum prioritises talent development ahead of AFCON U-17

Cameroon’s U-17 head coach, Saidou Alioum, has emphasised that his primary focus remains on player development, even as he sets his sights on clinching the 2026 AFCON U-17 trophy.

The Junior Lions have been drawn into a competitive Group B alongside West African rivals Ivory Coast, as well as Uganda and DR Congo. Ahead of their tournament opener, Alioum shared his long-term ambitions for the squad and reflected on the lessons learned from previous campaigns.

Winning isn’t everything: Saidou Alioum outlines long-term vision for Junior Lions

“Last year, we had a very strong team, one we believed was capable of winning the competition. That’s the analysis we made as technicians. Unfortunately, we didn’t even manage to get past the first round,” Alioum admitted during a media briefing.

“That said, we’ve continued to track the progress of these kids. The most important thing isn’t just winning a competition. Of course, lifting a trophy is a great achievement, but the real priority remains the development of these young players.

“Today, some of our boys have already been shortlisted for the senior team. That shows the work we’ve done is paying off. Our goal is that, in the coming years, these players can join the senior national team. Compared to last year’s disappointment, we’ve learned a lot and are now working to fix what didn’t go right,” he added.

The road to Qatar via Morocco

The 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from May 13 to June 2, 2026. The expanded tournament will feature 16 nations all vying for continental glory and a ticket to the global stage.

Matches are set to be primarily hosted at the Moulay Hassan Stadium and the Complex Mohammed VI in Rabat. Beyond the trophy, there is a massive incentive for the semi-finalists and top performers, as Africa has been allocated ten slots for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup to be staged in Qatar.

For Alioum and his charges, the mission is clear: balance the hunt for a trophy with the crucial task of nurturing Cameroon’s next generation of senior internationals.