WAFU Zone B seals outstanding 2025 with organisational excellence and competitive growth

The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B has brought the 2025 football season to a successful close, efficiently delivering all planned programmes and competitions and further cementing its reputation as one of the most organised and progressive zones within the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Guided by the visionary leadership of Executive Director Philippe Tchere, WAFU Zone B continued its evolution into a modern, purpose-driven football institution. Throughout the year, the organisation demonstrated strong administrative capacity, strategic foresight and a human-centered approach to development across its seven member nations, setting a high benchmark within CAF’s zonal structure.

A hallmark of WAFU B’s 2025 calendar was its well-coordinated competition programme, anchored by a strong emphasis on youth development and pathways to continental qualification. Ghana successfully hosted the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup in July, delivering a highly competitive tournament that highlighted the region’s depth of emerging talent. This was complemented by the U20 Girls Cup in Benin, underscoring WAFU B’s commitment to inclusivity and the continued growth of women’s football.

The sub-regional body also played a key role in organising and supervising the U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, ensuring seamless logistics, strict adherence to CAF regulations and a professional competitive environment. These tournaments provided critical exposure for young players while serving as gateways to continental competitions.

WAFU Zone B’s impact extended beyond national team football, with notable success in club competitions. The organisation effectively supervised the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, showcasing its ability to manage high-profile tournaments involving elite clubs. In addition, WAFU B oversaw the qualifiers for the Africa Schools Football Championship, hosted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, bringing the year to a vibrant and impactful conclusion.

Capacity building and institutional strengthening remained central to WAFU B’s progress in 2025. Complementing its busy competition calendar, the organisation rolled out an extensive programme of workshops throughout the year, reinforcing its commitment to professional excellence across the sub-region.

Key initiatives included a General Secretaries’ Workshop in Abidjan in February, focused on governance, administration, and best practices in football management. This was followed by Safety and Security Training aimed at improving matchday organisation and compliance with CAF and FIFA standards. WAFU B also delivered an Anti-Doping Workshop to promote clean sport, alongside Marketing and Media Strategy programmes designed to enhance branding, communication, and commercial engagement among member associations.

Further technical advancement was achieved through specialised Technical Training courses, Medical Workshops, and Match Commissioners’ Training, equipping officials with modern skills and knowledge to meet the evolving demands of the game. Through this comprehensive capacity-building agenda, WAFU B continued to invest in human capital and strengthen the foundations for sustainable football development.

While the achievements of 2025 reflect organisational maturity and effective execution, WAFU Zone B remains committed to continuous improvement. Under Philippe Tchere’s leadership, the organisation continues to refine its systems, expand development opportunities, and raise competition standards.

As WAFU Zone B looks ahead, its transformation into a dynamic, forward-thinking football institution is unmistakable. With a clear focus on youth development, continental qualification, and institutional excellence, the sub-regional body is well positioned to further elevate West African football on both the continental and global stages.

The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B has brought the 2025 football season to a successful close, efficiently delivering all planned programmes and competitions and further cementing its reputation as one of the most organised and progressive zones within the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Guided by the visionary leadership of Executive Director Philippe Tchere, WAFU Zone B continued its evolution into a modern, purpose-driven football institution. Throughout the year, the organisation demonstrated strong administrative capacity, strategic foresight and a human-centered approach to development across its seven member nations, setting a high benchmark within CAF’s zonal structure.

A hallmark of WAFU B’s 2025 calendar was its well-coordinated competition programme, anchored by a strong emphasis on youth development and pathways to continental qualification. Ghana successfully hosted the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup in July, delivering a highly competitive tournament that highlighted the region’s depth of emerging talent. This was complemented by the U20 Girls Cup in Benin, underscoring WAFU B’s commitment to inclusivity and the continued growth of women’s football.

The sub-regional body also played a key role in organising and supervising the U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, ensuring seamless logistics, strict adherence to CAF regulations and a professional competitive environment. These tournaments provided critical exposure for young players while serving as gateways to continental competitions.

WAFU Zone B’s impact extended beyond national team football, with notable success in club competitions. The organisation effectively supervised the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, showcasing its ability to manage high-profile tournaments involving elite clubs. In addition, WAFU B oversaw the qualifiers for the Africa Schools Football Championship, hosted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, bringing the year to a vibrant and impactful conclusion.

Capacity building and institutional strengthening remained central to WAFU B’s progress in 2025. Complementing its busy competition calendar, the organisation rolled out an extensive programme of workshops throughout the year, reinforcing its commitment to professional excellence across the sub-region.

Key initiatives included a General Secretaries’ Workshop in Abidjan in February, focused on governance, administration, and best practices in football management. This was followed by Safety and Security Training aimed at improving matchday organisation and compliance with CAF and FIFA standards. WAFU B also delivered an Anti-Doping Workshop to promote clean sport, alongside Marketing and Media Strategy programmes designed to enhance branding, communication, and commercial engagement among member associations.

Further technical advancement was achieved through specialised Technical Training courses, Medical Workshops, and Match Commissioners’ Training, equipping officials with modern skills and knowledge to meet the evolving demands of the game. Through this comprehensive capacity-building agenda, WAFU B continued to invest in human capital and strengthen the foundations for sustainable football development.

While the achievements of 2025 reflect organisational maturity and effective execution, WAFU Zone B remains committed to continuous improvement. Under Philippe Tchere’s leadership, the organisation continues to refine its systems, expand development opportunities, and raise competition standards.

As WAFU Zone B looks ahead, its transformation into a dynamic, forward-thinking football institution is unmistakable. With a clear focus on youth development, continental qualification, and institutional excellence, the sub-regional body is well positioned to further elevate West African football on both the continental and global stages.

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