The Gambia’s U-17 side will face a challenging test in Dakar as the Young Scorpions have been placed in Group A of the WAFU Zone A U-17 qualifying tournament for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yahya Manneh’s side will battle hosts Senegal, Mauritania and Sierra Leone for a place in the next stage of the continental qualification race.

The draw was conducted today at the headquarters of the Senegalese Football Federation in Dakar.

Group B features Mali, Liberia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. The regional tournament is scheduled to run from September 7th to 20th, 2026, in Senegal.

With preparations already intensifying, the Young Scorpions will be aiming to secure their return to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after narrowly missing out on the previous edition.

By Ebrima KB Sonko