2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: Is Congo Brazzaville on the verge of withdrawal?

Africa 10 February 2026 at 08:54

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2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: Is Congo Brazzaville on the verge of withdrawal?

Just one week before the kickoff of UNIFAC 2026, the Congolese Football Federation was rocked by a major administrative crisis. On February 10, the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) issued a press release declaring it does not "recognize" the existence of a national U-17 team. An unprecedented situation by all standards.

As the UNIFAC tournament approaches on February 17 in Kinshasa, the Congolese federation confirmed it only learned of the U-17 squad's existence through the media. FECOFOOT made its stance clear and firm: it does not recognize the national team that is supposedly taking part in the qualifiers for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

A phantom team!

It is reported that this squad is led by Fabrizio Sinaza. According to the statement, Sinaza, during consultations in December 2025, pointed to the lack of domestic competitions and the difficulty of assembling a team. Since then, the statement adds, there has been no further communication or follow-up from his side.

Is withdrawal inevitable?

The UNIFAC 2026 tournament is scheduled to take place from February 17 to March 2, 2026 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This administrative chaos erupts just a week before the opening whistle. With no "recognized" team by FECOFOOT, the Red Devils’ U-17 participation hangs by a thread.

As we await further developments, it’s worth noting that Congo Brazzaville was drawn in Group A, alongside the host nation and the Central African Republic.