U-17 AFCON: Again, Senegal beat Morocco on home soil

Senegal defeated Morocco 7-6 on penalties after 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat to claim their spot in the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament holding in Morocco.

The Young Teranga Lions denied the Young Atlas Lions glory on home soil, akin to the national team’s AFCON 2025 title win over Morocco in February this year.

The Senegal U-17 team had also defeated Morocco to win their first U-17 AFCON title in 2023.

Senegal took the lead on 23 minutes through Mouhamed Wagne who reacted fastest to a rebound to tuck home from close range and hand the West Africans the lead. Morocco thought they had equalized before halftime, but the referee agreed with VAR to rule out Adam Al-Laki’s effort for an infringement on the goalkeeper in the build-up to the goal.

Morocco continued to knock on the door in the second period while Senegal went into defensive mode, but their guard was pieced deep into added time when a penalty was awarded for handball bu Cheikh Dieng.

Although goalkeeper Assane Sarr saved Ismail El Aoud’s spotkick, the midfielder slotted home the rebound to force penalty shootout where Sarr impressed again to silence the home crowd, and lead Senegal to the final in sudden death shootout.

The young Teranga Lions are unbeaten in 11 consecutive AFCON matches, and are the first nation to qualify for consecutive U-17 AFCON finals.

Senegal will face Tanzania in the final of the U-17 AFCON tournament at the same stadium on Tuesday, June 2.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)