Morocco made history by winning their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating two-time champions Mali 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in Saturday’s final at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.
In a tense and evenly matched encounter, the hosts kept their composure during the shootout, with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero after saving two penalties, sparking wild celebrations among the home crowd.
The victory marks Morocco’s long-awaited continental triumph at this level, coming just two years after their runner-up finish to Senegal. For Mali, the defeat was a bitter disappointment in their fifth U-17 AFCON final appearance, despite controlling much of the game.
Despite an intense tactical battle, neither side could break the deadlock in regular time.
Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub tested Mali from distance, while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané posed constant threats but lacked precision in front of goal.
Mali thought they had taken the lead in the first half through Fané, but the goal was disallowed after VAR ruled a handball in the buildup. Morocco responded by tightening their defence, with centre-backs Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri effectively neutralising Mali’s attacking transitions.
Despite late pressure and a flurry of set pieces from the West Africans, the match remained scoreless at full time.
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