A Clash of Titans: Morocco vs Senegal in the U17 AFCON Semifinal
An electrifying atmosphere envelops the Moroccan capital as the stage is set for an intense showdown on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat is poised to resonate with the energy of a highly anticipated match between two of the top contenders for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations. The reigning champions, Morocco, will take on Senegal in a contest that transcends the ordinary confines of a semifinal. With a massive crowd expected to rally behind them, the young Moroccan players are eager to overcome a formidable Senegalese side that is determined to reclaim its crown.
This match is steeped in a unique context, marked by heightened rivalry between the two nations following recent disputes over the awarding of the 2025 AFCON title. On the pitch, Morocco enters this encounter with a sense of confidence. Under the guidance of coach Tiago Lima Pereira, the Moroccan team secured their place in the semifinals by defeating Cameroon with a narrow 1-0 victory in the quarterfinals. Led by their playmaker Ibrahim Rabbaj, who is already being dubbed the "Moroccan Messi" by observers, the defending champions exhibit impressive technical skills and remarkable collective strength.
However, the challenge ahead is steep, facing a Senegalese team renowned for its steely resolve. To reach this stage of the competition, the Senegalese Lionceaux de la Téranga had to dig deep against Mali. Reduced to ten men for over a half, they clinched their qualification in a nail-biting penalty shootout (1-1, 4-2 on penalties). For this crucial clash against the host nation, Senegal will have to manage without the suspended Cheikh Thior, who was sent off in the previous round.
Recent history adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup, as it marks the third encounter between the two teams in U17 AFCON history. While they played to a draw in the group stage in 2019 (1-1), Senegal triumphed over Morocco in the thrilling final of the 2023 edition (2-1). This time, the Moroccans have the perfect opportunity to seek revenge on home soil and take a significant step towards achieving a historic double.
Match Details: Kick-off Times and Broadcast Information
The match between Morocco and Senegal is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time in Morocco, 19:00 GMT, and 21:00 in France. Fans eager to watch the game live can tune in to various broadcasting options. In Morocco, the match will be aired on the free-to-air TNT version of Arryadia, which is the third channel of the SNRT group. Across Africa and internationally, official broadcasters such as beIN Sports, Canal+ Afrique, and SuperSport will provide coverage of the event. For those who prefer streaming, the duel will be accessible on platforms like FIFA+ and TOD, as well as for free on the CAF TV YouTube channel.
It’s important to note that the winner of this match will face the victor of the other semifinal, which pits Egypt against Tanzania, in the final.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
