Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will step up preparations for the upcoming U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with two friendly matches scheduled for late April, as both nations fine-tune their squads ahead of the continental tournament in Morocco.
The West African rivals are set to meet twice at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, with fixtures arranged for 27 April and 30 April.
Both matches will kick off at 16:00 GMT and will be played behind closed doors, allowing coaching staff to focus on tactical work away from public scrutiny.
The friendlies form a key part of both teams’ build-up to the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, which will run from 13 May to 2 June in Morocco.
With the tournament approaching rapidly, the two sides are using these encounters to assess player readiness and refine strategies.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the matches offer an opportunity to sharpen a squad that will compete in a challenging Group B.
The Ivorians, former champions at this level, have been drawn alongside Cameroon, Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
The group presents a blend of experience and emerging talent, making preparation crucial if they are to progress deep into the competition.
Ghana, meanwhile, will compete in Group D, where they face a demanding line-up that includes Senegal, South Africa and Algeria.
As two-time winners of the tournament, the West African nation will be looking to reassert its pedigree on the continental stage.
The decision to stage the matches behind closed doors reflects a cautious approach from both camps.
With limited time before the tournament begins, coaches are prioritising internal evaluation over public spectacle, ensuring their tactical plans remain undisclosed ahead of the competition.
Across the continent, anticipation is building for what is expected to be a highly competitive edition of the U-17 tournament.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia, while last year’s runners-up Mali lead Group C, which also includes Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Beyond continental honours, the stakes are even higher.
The tournament doubles as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the eight quarter-finalists securing automatic spots.
Teams finishing third in their groups will have another chance through play-off matches to claim the remaining qualification places.
In total, 10 African nations will go on to represent the continent at the global finals in Qatar later this year, underlining the importance of thorough preparation at this stage.
For Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the upcoming matches are not just rehearsals, they are crucial tests that could define their readiness for one of Africa’s most important youth competitions.
As the countdown to Morocco continues, all eyes will be on how these two traditional powerhouses perform, even if the results themselves remain out of public view.
