The Mauritius U-17 national football team proudly secured the bronze medal at the 13th edition of the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games, hosted by Seychelles from August 1st to 10th, 2025.

This result adds yet another achievement to Mauritius’ growing record in youth football, affirming the island’s commitment to nurturing talent across all levels of the game.

The football tournament brought together youth teams from across the Indian Ocean region, including hosts Seychelles, Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros, and Djibouti, in a highly competitive format. For Mauritius, the stakes were high – not only for a medal, but for testing the depth and resilience of their youth development program.

Grouped alongside strong regional teams, the young Mauritians had to overcome tactical and physical challenges. Though they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final – losing their semi-final match after a hard-fought battle against Madagascar on penalty shoot-out – the team showed tremendous maturity and mental fortitude to come back and win the third-place playoff.

In the bronze medal match, Mauritius displayed a solid performance, combining disciplined defending with quick transitions and creative forward play. The team controlled key moments of the game and managed to edge their opponents to secure a deserved place on the podium, after a win (3-1) over Mayotte.

“We knew coming into the tournament that the level would be high. But I told the boys that setbacks can either define you or drive you. After the semi-final loss, they came out determined to win the bronze and they did so with great character. This is a team with potential”, said the coach, Kersley Levrai

This bronze medal is Mauritius’ latest success in a competition that has long served as a proving ground for future international stars. The CJSOI Games, first held in 1995, are designed to promote youth sports and regional cooperation among countries of the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius has a history of performing well in CJSOI football. The country previously secured the gold medal at past editions (notably in 2004 and 2010), and this year’s bronze is a continuation of that legacy. It also represents an opportunity to measure progress against the region’s best while offering young players a chance to shine on an international stage.