Morocco win TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON title in dramatic penalty shootout

Morocco have been crowned the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after a thrilling penalty shootout win over Mali.

The match ended 0-0 after regular time, but Morocco’s goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui saved two penalties to secure a 4-2 shootout victory.

This is Morocco’s first U-17 AFCON title, ending their long wait for continental glory at this level. The team’s defensive solidity was evident throughout the tournament, conceding just one goal.

Coach Nabil Baha praised his players’ composure and discipline, which paid off in the end.

Mali, who had dominated parts of the match, was unable to find the breakthrough. Despite their best efforts, they were denied by Morocco’s solid defense and ultimately lost in the penalty shootout.

This was Mali’s fifth final appearance, and they had previously won the title in 2015 and 2017.

Morocco converted all four of their penalties with confidence, while Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita had their efforts saved by Alaoui. The win marks a historic moment for Moroccan football, and the team’s fans were overjoyed by the victory.

Tournament Awards

Midfield maestro Abdellah Ouazane, who plays for Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, was named Player of the Tournament

The tournament concluded with several individual awards. Nabil Baha, the coach of Morocco, was named the Best Coach of the tournament, recognizing his tactical acumen and leadership.

Chouaib Belaarouch, Morocco’s goalkeeper, was recognized as the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, showcasing his exceptional skills between the posts.

In the top scorer standings, Loukmana Tapsoba of Burkina Faso and Alynhoa Haidara of Ivory Coast shared the award, each scoring seven goals throughout the competition.