Youth Football Tournaments Boost Cohesion in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire

The village team of Sissamba won the 6th edition of the AJUDES Super Cup in Yatenga province, Burkina Faso, defeating the sector 5 team of Ouahigouya 1‑0 at the Noufou Ouédraogo stadium on 2 August 2026. Provincial High Commissioner Pierre Claver Bancé praised the event as a “real factor of social cohesion” and the promoter Wendpanga Ouédraogo said the competition aims to support the President’s development agenda. Captain Sayouba Sawadogo expressed satisfaction with the victory and urged youth to continue backing the tournament.

In Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, the municipal council launched the 17th edition of the Coupe Dominique Ouattara and a parallel district tournament on 1 August 2026 at the Djibo Nicolas stadium. The football cup involves 16 training centres for children aged 9‑14, while the district competition features 12 neighbourhood teams for youths aged 15‑17. Deputy mayor Diaby Aboubakar, representing Mayor Amadou Koné, said the events are intended to occupy children during school holidays, promote education through sport and prevent juvenile delinquency. Both initiatives stress the role of football in fostering community cohesion.