The coach of the Cameroon youth team praises Morocco.

With the passion of continental ambition and a desire to erase the disappointment of the previous edition, the Cameroonian U-17 national team has arrived in the Kingdom of Morocco, preparing to participate in the Total Energies Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026.

In his first media appearance after settling in Rabat, Alioum Saïdou, the coach of the "Indomitable Lions," did not hide his amazement at the level of hospitality and the sports facilities made available to African teams.

Saïdou did not hesitate, in his conversation with the official website of the Confederation of African Football, to praise the quality of Moroccan preparations, considering that staying at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura represents an exceptional experience for the young players.

He stated in this regard: "We arrived at night in Rabat after a friendly match in Casablanca, and as soon as we entered the Mohammed VI Complex, we were astonished... It is truly an impressive facility."

He added that these global logistical conditions provide the Cameroonian elite with the motivation to give their best in the "Africa U-17 Cup."

Regarding Cameroon’s ninth participation in the history of the competition, Saïdou confirmed that being present for the second consecutive time in the finals is the result of diligent grassroots work, especially given the complexities imposed by MRI tests to determine ages.

He explained: "Working with age groups is complicated, but we have invested in training centers and talent development leagues (TDS) to ensure Cameroon’s competitive continuity at the continental level, which has allowed us today to produce players from the youth category directly to the senior national team."

Concerning the ambitions of the "Lions" in Group B, which includes Ivory Coast, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the former Cameroonian international appeared cautious and realistic, stating: "We are in a very strong group. The last edition was a harsh lesson for us after being eliminated in the first round, despite having a great technical team."

Saïdou pointed out that he focused in his current camp in Morocco on the mental and psychological aspects, trying to alleviate the pressure on the "kids" and give them the freedom to express themselves on the field.

Alioum Saïdou concluded his remarks by noting that Morocco hosting this event enhances its marketing and sporting value.

The Cameroonian coach said: "This tournament is a golden opportunity; the whole world is watching what happens here online. We are not just looking for the cup, but we are building a future for these young players to become stars in the senior national team, while ensuring to protect them from the pressures of agents and brokers at this early age."