U17 AFCON (Q): "We played against dads" – row over player ages after Cameroon v Central African Republic

Cameroon made a flying start to their U17 AFCON qualifying campaign with a crushing 9-0 win over Central African Republic on Sunday, in the opening match of the UNIFFAC zone tournament. It was a huge scoreline that, beyond the sporting side, quickly sparked controversy.

A gulf in level that raises questions

The display from the Indomitable Cubs against the Central Africans surprised more than one observer. Such a gulf in level led the Central African coach, Dertin Boulengue, to voice doubts about the real age of some of the opposition players. "The competition is for U17 players. Everyone saw the match and noticed that the balance of power was not the same. That is what made the difference," he said at a press conference, while trying to maintain a diplomatic stance.

Despite the heavy defeat, Boulengue preferred to look ahead to the rest of the tournament and the two games against DR Congo and Gabon: "If we lose today, we have to put aside what is negative and think about the next games. We hope to take six points to finish in one of the top two places and qualify."

Age fraud accusations

While the Central African coach appeared measured, his assistant Jean-Louis Botekahe did not hesitate to openly accuse Cameroon of age fraud. "During the MRI tests, who was there to check? It was Cameroonian doctors who carried them out. I say it loud and clear, we played against dads! It is your country, we accept it, but honestly, it is shameful," he denounced.

The Central African assistant in particular pointed to glaring physical differences between the two teams: "Look at the goalkeeper's goal kick, it reaches the opposition box! Can a 16-year-old child make such a kick? We have to be serious."

A recurring debate in youth competitions

This first controversy casts a shadow over the tournament, with the CAF having tried for several years to tackle age fraud in youth competitions. Recently, Guinea were thrown out of the UFOA A tournament, also a qualifier for the U17 AFCON, after irregularities were discovered over the ages of their players.

Read also: UFOA A U17 Tournament: Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone spared, Guinea disqualified

The issue remains sensitive: despite the MRI tests, meant to limit such fraud, the lack of transparency over how they are carried out continues to raise doubts. This row could well push the CAF to tighten its checks to ensure a fairer competition.

For now, Cameroon, despite the suspicions, have a firm grip on qualification and have sent a strong message to their rivals. It remains to be seen whether the row will grow in the coming days.

🇨🇲😂Cameroon vs Central African Republic U17 🤣🤣🤣

📹 @AllezLesLions#sna #Cameroun pic.twitter.com/9sME2PF42r

— Sport News Africa (@snewsafrica) February 16, 2025