UFOA-B U17: Niger hold Côte d’Ivoire to a draw

Final score 1-1 as the defending champions stumble at the outset

Africa Today at 16:21

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UFOA-B U17: Niger hold Côte d’Ivoire to a draw

The opening Group B match of the UFOA-B tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations , delivered its verdict at the Stade du 4-Août. After an intense battle, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger played out a 1-1 draw.

A determined Niger

Beaten 0-2 in the last edition in Yamoussoukro, it was a determined Niger that Côte d’Ivoire faced this Sunday in Ouagadougou. Mena U17 started strongly. The opening goal came quickly. Ibrahim Aboubacar capitalised on a defensive error to put the Elephanteaux 1-0 up in the 17th minute. The defending champions were unable to respond in the first half.

The solution came from the Ivorian bench

In the second half, the Ivorian coach opted to replace a defender with an attacker. Komi Christ came on. From the opening minutes, he changed the complexion of the match by pressing and making two attempts.

Player of the Match | Côte d’Ivoire 🆚 Niger ⭐️ KOMI Christ Adzogblé is named Player of the Match in the only Group B fixture of Matchday 1! The Ivorian No. 9 made the difference by scoring Côte d’Ivoire’s equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Niger. 👏⚽ #WAFUBU17Q #TotalEnergiesCAFU17 #PlayerOfTheMatch #CIVNIG #WAFUB Homme du Match | Côte d’Ivoire 🆚 Niger ⭐️ KOMI Christ Adzogblé est élu Homme du Match de l’unique rencontre de la 1ère journée du Groupe B ! Le N°9 ivoirien s’est illustré en inscrivant le but égalisateur de la Côte d’Ivoire lors du nul (1-1) face au Niger. 👏⚽ #UFOABU17Q #TotalEnergiesCAFU17 #HommeDuMatch #CIVNIG #UFOAB
— CAF ZONE OUEST B (@CafZoneOuestB) October 11, 2026

He eventually found a way through in the 54th minute with a powerful curling shot. Group B remains wide open. On October 14, Niger will face Nigeria. Côte d’Ivoire vs Nigeria is scheduled for October 16. Three teams are competing for two semi-final places.