Cameroon qualifies for 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations

The Philadelphia Union will have another young player representing his country on the world stage, with Eric Ayuk and the Cameroon U20s having qualified for the 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. Ayuk, who has spent most of the season with Bethlehem Steel FC, joins the likes of Auston Trusty and Sebastian Elney (United States) as Union players who will represent their countries in U20 World Cup qualification. Cameroon lost 1-0 to Libya in Tunisia on Saturday, however by virtue of their 3-0 win in Cameroon on July 10 won the aggregate.

The U20 AFCON tournament will be played from February 26 through March 16 of 2017 in Zambia. In addition to the hosts and Cameroon, the eight team tournament will also feature Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, and Sudan. The top four finishers will play in the 2017 U20 World Cup, which will take place in South Korea from May 20 through June 11. The 2015 Champions Serbia, who were coached by ex-Union player and current Chicago Fire manager Veljko Paunovic, will not defend their title having not progressed through the UEFA tournament.