Tanzania is set to clash with Senegal in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco 2026. Both teams advanced through intense semi-final matches that culminated in nail-biting penalty shootouts held in Rabat on Thursday.
This marks a historic achievement for Tanzania, who have reached the final for the very first time after triumphing over Egypt 4-3 in penalties following a goalless draw. Meanwhile, Senegal secured their spot by edging past the host nation, Morocco, with a dramatic 7-6 victory in a shootout after the match ended 1-1.
The final is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with the kick-off set for 20:00 local time. This matchup promises to be an enthralling encounter, highlighting Tanzania's emergence as one of the tournament's most surprising contenders against Senegal, a nation that has steadily built a reputation as a powerhouse in African youth football.
Tanzania's remarkable journey to the final has been one of the standout narratives of the competition. The Serengeti Boys had already secured their qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, but their thrilling semi-final victory against Egypt has elevated their campaign to new heights. The encounter with Egypt was characterized by a tightly contested battle, where both teams struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Egypt came closest to scoring late in the second half, with Daniel Tamer's fierce shot being expertly denied by Tanzania's goalkeeper Haji Abdallah. With the match ending in a stalemate after 90 minutes, Tanzania displayed remarkable composure during the penalty shootout, converting four out of their five attempts to seal a historic victory.
On the other hand, Senegal's path to the final was equally dramatic, as they eliminated the hosts, Morocco, in front of a fervent home crowd at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium. The Young Lions of Teranga opened the scoring in the first half thanks to Mouhamed Wagne, who capitalized on a rebound from a saved shot by Morocco’s goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi. Morocco fiercely sought an equalizer and was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Ismail El Aoud found the net from the rebound after his initial penalty kick was blocked by Senegal's goalkeeper Assane Sarr. The match then progressed to penalties, where both goalkeepers played pivotal roles in a tense shootout, ultimately leading to Sarr emerging as Senegal’s hero as they narrowly triumphed 7-6.
As the tournament nears its conclusion, Morocco will now take on Egypt in the third-place match on Monday, June 1, 2026, at CMVI – T8, with a kick-off also set for 20:00 local time. This third-place encounter presents both sides with the chance to end their campaigns on a high note following their semi-final setbacks, while the final promises to be a showdown between two teams that have showcased exceptional courage, discipline, and mental fortitude throughout the tournament.
For Tanzania, the final not only symbolizes a historic opportunity to clinch their first TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON title but also serves as a testament to their growth as a footballing nation. For Senegal, this final represents another chance to reaffirm their status as one of the continent's leading developers of young football talent. As the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 draws to a close, the stage is set for an exhilarating battle between Tanzania and Senegal for the coveted continental crown.
As reported by cafonline.com.
