Ivory Coast U16 national team boosted their chances of progressing at the Montaigu Tournament with a 2-1 victory over France U16 on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
The result sees the young Elephants move to the top of Group A, underlining their growing reputation as one of the standout teams in the competition.
Coming into the match, Ivory Coast had already shown promise with a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening fixture.
Facing a strong French side in their second outing, the West Africans delivered an assured performance to secure all three points.
The breakthrough came through Mohamed Haïdara, who put Ivory Coast ahead with a well-taken goal.
The second goal followed in unusual fashion, as France conceded an own goal that ultimately proved decisive in the contest.
Despite France pulling one back to keep the match competitive, Ivory Coast held firm to seal a significant win against one of Europe’s traditional football powers.
The victory leaves Ivory Coast level on four points with Brazil, who also won their second group match against China.
However, the Ivorians currently sit top of the standings, putting them in a strong position heading into the final round of fixtures.
For the young squad, the performance represents more than just three points.
It reflects the steady progress of youth football development in Ivory Coast, a nation that continues to produce emerging talent capable of competing on the global stage.
The Montaigu Tournament has long been regarded as a platform for future stars, with several top-level professionals having featured in previous editions.
Ivory Coast’s strong showing in this year’s competition suggests another generation of promising players could be on the rise.
Attention now turns to their final Group A match against China U16, where Ivory Coast will aim to secure top spot and potentially advance further in the tournament.
With confidence high after their win over France, the team will be looking to maintain their momentum and finish the group stage strongly.
For African football followers, the success of Ivory Coast’s U16 side offers a glimpse into the continent’s future, as young talents continue to emerge and make their mark on the international stage.
