Morocco etched their name into African football history, capturing their first-ever U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title in a thrilling final against Mali. The match, played in front of a fervent home crowd at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, was a tense affair that ended goalless after regulation time, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout. Morocco’s young Atlas Lions, displaying remarkable composure under pressure, converted all four of their penalties, with Ilies Belmokhtar sealing the victory with a cheeky ‘Panenka’ that sent the stadium into raptures. Goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouche emerged as the hero, producing two crucial saves in the shootout to deny the two-time champions and secure the historic win. The victory capped off a dominant tournament for Morocco, who conceded just a single goal throughout their campaign.
The final itself was a tightly contested battle between two evenly matched sides. The first half saw Mali initially threaten to take the lead, with Soumaila Fane seemingly finding the back of the net, only for VAR to intervene and correctly rule out the goal for handball. Morocco’s best chance of the half fell to Ziyad Baha, whose low drive was met by a brilliant save from Malian goalkeeper Lamine Sinaba. The second half saw Mali exert more pressure, with Bellaarouche called upon several times to make crucial interventions, highlighting his growing importance to the Moroccan side. Despite the attacking efforts from both teams, neither could break the deadlock, leading to the inevitable penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was a showcase of Moroccan nerve and Malian heartbreak. Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, and Amine Ouahabi all confidently dispatched their penalties, setting the stage for Belmokhtar’s audacious ‘Panenka’ to secure the title. Bellaarouche’s two saves in the shootout proved decisive, cementing his status as a key figure in Morocco’s triumphant campaign. The victory was a testament to the tactical discipline instilled by coach Nabil Baha, whose focus on defensive solidity proved highly effective throughout the tournament.
For Mali, the defeat marked a bitter end to their tournament, having reached their fifth final at this level. The two-time champions, who had lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2017, were hoping to add another title to their collection. Despite dominating periods of the match and creating several opportunities, they were unable to find a way past the resolute Moroccan defense and ultimately fell short in the crucial shootout. The loss will undoubtedly be a disappointment for coach Adama Diallo and his young squad, who will now look to regroup and build on the positives from their campaign.
Morocco’s victory marks a significant milestone in their footballing history, signifying their arrival as a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage. The triumph represents the culmination of years of development and investment in youth football, and provides a platform for these talented youngsters to showcase their abilities on the global stage. The win is particularly sweet for Morocco, coming just two years after they finished as runners-up to Senegal in the previous edition of the tournament, demonstrating their growth and determination to succeed.
Beyond the immediate celebrations, the tournament also served as a qualifier for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be held in Qatar in November. Both finalists, Morocco and Mali, have secured their places in the prestigious global competition. They will be joined by fellow African qualifiers Burkina Faso, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Uganda, ensuring a strong African presence at the World Cup. This provides a further opportunity for these young players to gain valuable experience and exposure on the international stage, and to continue their development as future stars of African football.
