“To qualify Ivory Coast for the 2027 U20 AFCON,” says Oussou Israel ahead of the kick-off of the WAFU B tournament

As the Ivorian U20 national team prepares to play the tournament’s opening match against Benin on Sunday 26 July, the head coach has clearly set out his ambitions.

The WAFU B tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, kicks off on 26 July in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. The opening match will see the young Ivorian side take on their Beninese counterparts at 2 pm GMT at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

On the eve of the match, Oussou Israel stated that his team is aiming for one of the two qualifying places for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I think there is only one objective: to qualify Ivory Coast for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. Aware of this objective, we have prepared with this in mind, and I personally believe the team is ready tactically, technically, but above all mentally.”