Morocco Wins Historic U-17 AFCON Title in Penalty Shootout Thriller

Morocco made history by winning their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, edging out two-time champions Mali 4-2 on penalties after a tense goalless draw in the final. In front of a passionate home crowd, goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerged as the hero, making two crucial saves in the shootout to seal Morocco’s maiden title.

The final was a tightly contested affair, showcasing tactical discipline from both sides. Neither team could find a breakthrough in regular time, despite several chances in a match filled with intensity and drama. Mali looked to have taken the lead in the first half through Soumaila Fané, but VAR ruled out the goal for a handball in the build-up.

In the penalty shootout, Morocco were flawless, with Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi, and Ilies Belmokhtar all converting their efforts. For Mali, Issa Koné and Lamine Keita saw their shots saved by Alaoui, dashing their hopes of a third title.

Head coach Nabil Baha praised his side’s resilience and defensive solidity, having conceded just one goal throughout the entire tournament. The victory ends Morocco’s long wait for continental U-17 glory, coming just two years after they finished as runners-up to Senegal in the 2023 edition.

They came. They played. They owned the moment. 🏆🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/pIhEszdhqK

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 19, 2025