The Confederation of African Football (CAF) U-17 tournament kicks off in Morocco on Wednesday as some of the continent’s brightest young footballers prepare to showcase their talent.
The tournament has produced several African greats over the years, including Victor Osimhen, Patson Daka, and Bertrand Traoré.
The competition also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, which will take place in Qatar in November.
In this feature, Footy-Africa looks at five young talents to watch when hostilities begin on Wednesday, May 13.
Algeria: Abderrahmane Zaoui (Forward)
The hero of Algeria’s qualification campaign, Abderrahmane Zaoui’s decisive goal against Egypt showcased his composure under pressure.
Zaoui is a nimble-footed attacker who has earned comparisons with Riyad Mahrez. His lean frame, ability to manipulate space and opponents, and a right foot akin to a magician’s wand place him in rare company.
When he is not scoring goals that secure U-17 AFCON qualification, he is turning out for MC Mekhadma in the Regional Football League of Ouargla, where he has scored five goals in 726 minutes of action.
He is a force multiplier in every sense, and when he steps onto the pitch in Morocco, defenders will not be the only ones second-guessing themselves — fans will too. He is that majestic.
Côte d’Ivoire: Bema Doumbia (Forward)
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ASEC Mimosas have unleashed another top talent. Bema Doumbia is a box-office attacker whose only business is breaking down defences.
He has the stature of Wilfried Bony and the edge of Didier Drogba. He was a constant thorn in the flesh of opponents during the WAFU B qualifiers and has consistently impressed in the Ivorian junior leagues.
Powerful, quick, and armed with a fierce left foot, Doumbia forces opponents to respect his pace whenever they attempt to play a high defensive line. He is most comfortable operating on the shoulder of the last defender and does just enough in one-on-one situations to beat his man.
While he may still be raw, his finishing ability is devastating, and he could be the catalyst for the Baby Elephants in Morocco.
South Africa: Thandanani Mhlongo (Forward)
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The second-highest goalscorer at the COSAFA qualifiers, Thandanani Mhlongo has enjoyed an impressive year.
His partnership with Omphemetse Sekgoto proved pivotal to Amajimbos’ qualification for the U-17 AFCON, while his performances in both the qualifiers and the PSL reserve leagues earned him first-team cameos with AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership.
Mhlongo is not a typical South African forward. He combines strong hold-up play with intelligent movement that leads to clinical finishes in the box. He has also shown selflessness in possession and does not shirk responsibility, priding himself on making the right pass and decision when required.
Many have viewed him through the lens of African strikers comfortable with their backs to goal, such as Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa, but Mhlongo is very much his own player. Even so, he remains part of a dying breed — the old-fashioned target man.
Egypt: Amir Abou Elezz (Forward)
A product of AC Monza’s youth academy, this promising centre-forward is eligible to represent both Italy and Egypt at international level.
This season, Amir Abou Elezz has featured in 17 matches for Monza’s U-17 side, scoring nine goals. Having been promoted to the reserve team, he has also played five matches in the Primavera 1 league, although he is yet to register a goal or assist.
Abou Elezz is a sharpshooter in every sense. The right-footed striker is devastating in transition, swift in movement, and enjoys cutting in from the left flank. He has earned comparisons with Mido because of his dribbling and finishing ability.
At Monza, he is regarded as a key part of the club’s future, with many likening him to Stephan El Shaarawy, another Egyptian-Italian star. He is expected to keep fans glued to their seats in Rabat.
Ghana: Clément Agyei (Forward)
A product of the Accra Elite Academy, Clément Agyei is a striker with a unique skill set.
The goals may not have flowed freely during the WAFU B tournament, but Agyei arrives in Morocco in fine form after consistently finding the net for both club and country. His celebration mimics that of Harry Kane, and that is no coincidence.
Although he is not yet a master of the pin-and-roll style of play, Agyei has continually improved his finishing and his ability to hold off defenders while creating chances for teammates. His variety in finishing has also developed significantly, combining one-touch movements with excellent passing exchanges that cause problems for opposing defences.
If Agyei maintains his scoring form, the Black Starlets could go all the way. His emergence has drawn comparisons with Asamoah Gyan, and like “Baby Jet,” he wears a lower squad number that is uncommon among strikers.
