In an exhilarating encounter that captivated football fans, Senegal secured their spot in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, by overcoming the host nation Morocco in a nail-biting penalty shootout, concluding 7-6 after a tense 1-1 draw at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday night. The match not only showcased the resilience and skill of the Young Lions of Teranga but also highlighted the emotional rollercoaster experienced by both teams throughout the thrilling semi-final.
Goalkeeper Assane Sarr emerged as the standout hero for Senegal, delivering crucial saves during the shootout that extinguished Morocco's aspirations of clinching the title on home turf. The outcome propels Senegal into a showdown against Tanzania in the final, following the East Africans' own victory over Egypt on penalties earlier in the day. This semi-final day has been marked as one of the most dramatic in the tournament's history, with emotions running high as teams battled for a place in the final.
Morocco's exit from the tournament was particularly heart-wrenching, especially after they clawed their way back into contention during stoppage time. Ismail El Aoud, showing remarkable tenacity, scored from a rebound after his initial penalty attempt was saved by Sarr, igniting wild celebrations among the home supporters as the score leveled at 1-1 in the ninth minute of added time. Senegal, having maintained disciplined defensive play for the majority of the match, remained composed under pressure, ultimately leading them to victory in the shootout.
Senegal made their intentions clear early on, seizing the lead in the first half. In the 23rd minute, Commissaire Faye's industrious run down the right flank resulted in a shot that was parried by Morocco's goalkeeper. However, Mouhamed Wagne was quick to react, finishing from close range to give Senegal a 1-0 advantage. This goal was a testament to Senegal's direct approach and relentless energy in attack while exposing a moment of indecision within the Moroccan defense.
As the match progressed, Morocco ramped up their offensive efforts, determined to find an equalizer. Their persistence nearly paid off in the 41st minute when Adam Al-Laki found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review, intensifying the frustration among the Moroccan players and supporters alike. Despite their attacking prowess, Morocco struggled to penetrate Senegal's well-organized defense.
The second half saw Morocco increase their offensive pressure, with players pushing forward in search of a goal. Amine Moustach came close in the 62nd minute, and Brahim Rabaj continued to threaten in the 74th minute as the Atlas Lions sought to shift the momentum in their favor. However, Senegal remained resolute, seemingly on course for victory until a late handball by Cheikh Dieng presented Morocco with a golden opportunity to equalize.
In a dramatic turn, although Sarr managed to save El Aoud's first penalty attempt, the Moroccan midfielder displayed remarkable composure by scoring from the rebound, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout. The shootout was fraught with tension, featuring missed opportunities and outstanding goalkeeping performances from both sides. Morocco's Rayan Yaakoubi provided hope with his own saves, but Sarr's decisive interventions proved pivotal for Senegal.
The shootout extended into sudden death, with both teams exchanging successful penalties and mistakes, before Senegal ultimately triumphed 7-6. This victory continues to solidify Senegal's reputation as one of Africa’s premier youth football nations, showcasing their impressive tournament run and resilience under pressure. For Morocco, the defeat will be challenging to accept, particularly after their late-game heroics in front of a supportive home crowd. Nevertheless, Senegal's outstanding performance, characterized by courage, composure, and goalkeeping brilliance, has earned them a place in the U-17 AFCON final, where they now face Tanzania for the coveted trophy.
As reported by cafonline.com.
