The African Youth Championship 1997 was held in Morocco. It also served as qualification for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.
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.
Round two matches took place on 21-22 December 1996 and 3-5 January 1997.
Last year's finalists Burundi were disqualified in the qualifying tournament. Eight teams entered the tournament:
Group A matches took place on 23, 25 and 27 March 1997.
Group B matches took place on 24, 26 and 28 March 1997.
The four best performing teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.