Morocco etched their names into African football history, claiming their first-ever U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title in a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Mali. The final, held at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Morocco, was a tense affair that ended goalless after regulation time, setting the stage for a nail-biting climax. The Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, displayed remarkable composure under pressure, converting all four of their penalties while goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouche emerged as the hero, denying two Malian attempts. Ilies Belmokhtar sealed the historic victory with a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty, sending the home crowd into a frenzy of celebration as Morocco finally secured the coveted continental crown at this level.
The match itself was a closely contested battle between two evenly matched sides. In the first half, Mali thought they had taken the lead, but Soumaila Fane’s close-range effort was correctly ruled out by VAR for handball. Morocco’s best chance of the half fell to Ziyad Baha, whose powerful shot was met by a brilliant save from Mali’s goalkeeper, Lamine Sinaba. The second half saw Mali exert more pressure, forcing Bellaarouche into several key saves, including a particularly impressive stop against Seydou Dembele. Despite the attacking efforts from both sides, the deadlock remained unbroken, leading to the decisive penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was a testament to the mental fortitude of the young Moroccan players. Each penalty taker stepped up with confidence and precision, dispatching their shots past Sinaba. Baha, El Khalfioui, and Ouahabi all converted their penalties before Belmokhtar stepped up to take the final, decisive spot-kick. With the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders, he calmly chipped the ball down the middle, executing the ‘Panenka’ perfectly and sparking jubilant scenes across the stadium. The victory was a culmination of a disciplined and defensively robust campaign orchestrated by coach Nabil Baha, whose tactics saw the team concede just a single goal throughout the entire tournament.
For Mali, the defeat was a heartbreaking end to their campaign, particularly after having dominated significant portions of the final. The two-time champions, who lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2017, were aiming for their third U-17 AFCON title but fell short in their fifth appearance in the final. Despite their disappointment, Mali’s performance throughout the tournament showcased their talent and potential. The West African nation demonstrated their attacking prowess and tactical flexibility, proving they remain a force to be reckoned with in African youth football. The experience gained will undoubtedly serve as a valuable lesson for the young Malian players as they look towards future tournaments.
The victory for Morocco not only marked their first U-17 AFCON title but also erased the disappointment of their runner-up finish to Senegal in the previous edition two years prior. The win represents a significant milestone in Moroccan football and underscores the nation’s growing strength at all levels of the game. The triumph will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of Moroccan footballers and further fuel the nation’s passion for the sport. Furthermore, the success provides a platform for these young players to showcase their talent on the global stage.
Both finalists, alongside eight other nations – Burkina Faso, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Uganda – have secured their places in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Qatar in November. The tournament will provide another opportunity for these young African talents to test themselves against the best in the world and further develop their skills. Morocco’s victory in the U-17 AFCON serves as a strong statement of intent and suggests they will be a team to watch in Qatar as they aim to carry their continental success onto the global stage. The experience gained throughout the AFCON tournament, particularly the pressure of the final, will undoubtedly prove invaluable as they prepare to face the challenges of the World Cup.
