Leadnaija
Morocco’s U-17 national team has etched their name in African football history after clinching their first-ever U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title with a dramatic victory over Mali on Saturday, April 19.
The final, held at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, ended in a tense 0-0 draw after regulation time, before Morocco triumphed 4-2 on penalties in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouche emerged as the hero of the night, producing two crucial saves during the penalty shootout, while Ilies Belmokhtar sealed the victory in style with a cheeky ‘Panenka’ that sent fans into a frenzy.
VAR Drama and Goalkeeping Brilliance
Mali had the ball in the net early on through Soumaila Fane, but VAR ruled the goal out due to a handball in the buildup. Morocco responded with attacking intent, nearly scoring through Ziyad Baha, but Mali’s goalkeeper Lamine Sinaba pulled off a superb save.
In the second half, Mali piled on pressure with efforts from Seydou Dembele, but Bellaarouche remained solid between the posts, keeping the score level and forcing the shootout.
Penalty Precision
Morocco’s young guns—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi, and Belmokhtar—all converted their penalties with confidence. Coach Nabil Baha praised his players for their discipline and composure, highlighting their defensive strength, which saw them concede only one goal throughout the tournament.
This triumph comes just two years after Morocco finished as runners-up to Senegal, showing clear growth in their youth football development.
Mali Fall Short Again
For Mali, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow in what was their fifth U-17 AFCON final appearance. The two-time champions (2015, 2017) were hopeful of a third title but were undone by Morocco’s resilience and spot-kick excellence.
Morocco Lead 10 African Nations to 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Both finalists, along with Burkina Faso, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Uganda, have all qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Qatar this November.
This landmark win for the Young Atlas Lions not only breaks their title drought but sends a strong message ahead of the global showdown.
Stay tuned to Leadnaija News for more coverage on Africa’s road to the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
