Senegal U17 Beat Morocco on Penalties to Reach AFCON U17 Final Against Tanzania

Senegal’s U17 side advanced to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations U17 tournament after defeating hosts Morocco in a penalty shootout on Thursday, 28 May 2026, at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat. The Teranga Cubs will now face Tanzania in the tournament’s concluding fixture, with the continental title at stake.

The semifinal carried a weight beyond the scoreline. Earlier this year, CAF overturned Senegal’s 2025 U17 AFCON final victory and awarded the title to Morocco, a decision that added a charged backdrop to an already high-stakes encounter between the two nations’ youth sides.

Senegal drew first blood in the 23rd minute through Wagner, but a second goal before the interval was disallowed following a VAR review in the 38th minute. Morocco, struggling to penetrate a well-organised Senegalese defensive shape, found their equaliser deep in stoppage time via controversial means. El Aoud’s initial penalty was saved, but the Moroccan midfielder reacted to the rebound and converted, levelling the match at 1-1 and sending the game to a shootout.

The penalty sequence that followed was one of sustained drama involving both goalkeepers. Morocco’s Rayan Yaakoubi gave the hosts an early edge by saving Senegal’s first attempt. Senegal’s goalkeeper responded by stopping Morocco’s second kick and later denied a fourth Moroccan taker, keeping his side in contention. The shootout stretched to ten rounds before Moroccan player Ellaky saw his spot-kick saved, confirming a Senegal victory and ending Morocco’s hopes of reaching the final on home soil.

The result represents a notable reversal of recent fortunes between the two nations at this age group level. Following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 U17 AFCON title and hand it to Morocco — a ruling that generated significant controversy across African football — Thursday’s semifinal outcome adds another chapter to an intensifying rivalry between the two federations’ youth programmes.

Senegal’s U17 squad, known as the Teranga Cubs, now prepare for the tournament final, where Tanzania await. Tanzania’s presence in the final is itself a noteworthy development for East African football, as the nation has historically been a less prominent force in CAF youth competitions compared to the North and West African powerhouses.

Morocco, who hosted the tournament and entered the semifinal backed by a passionate home crowd at the Stade Moulay El Hassan, were left to reflect on what proved to be a heartbreaking exit. Despite the efforts of Yaakoubi in goal and the drama of El Aoud’s rebound equaliser, the young Atlas Cubs could not convert their home advantage into a place in the final.