It also served as qualification for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.

[citation needed] First round matches took place on 28-29 September and 19-20 October 1996.

Togo and Malawi withdrew and Burundi was suspended by CAF following a coup d'état.

Eight teams entered the tournament: Group A matches took place on 23, 25 and 27 March 1997.

The four best performing teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.