Senegal had been topped champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Beneath-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, after beating Tanzania 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 attract Tuesday’s remaining in Rabat.
The Younger Lions of Teranga needed to come from behind on the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after Tanzania surprised them with an early purpose by means of Hamis Chenga within the seventh minute.
Ibrahima Dione equalised for Senegal within the sixty fourth minute, delivering from shut vary after Tanzania goalkeeper Haji Abdullahi failed to carry a free-kick from Souleymane Commissaire Faye.
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With neither aspect capable of finding a winner in regular time, the ultimate was determined by penalties, the place Senegal confirmed better composure to say one other continental title at this degree.
Faye, Sadio, Dione and Thior all transformed for Senegal within the shootout, whereas Tanzania scored by means of Usuph and Mbegelendi however noticed Kilendemo and Mbegu miss their makes an attempt.
The victory secured Senegal’s second U-17 AFCON title and additional underlined the energy of the nation’s youth soccer growth system.
For Tanzania, defeat introduced a painful finish to a historic marketing campaign wherein the Serengeti Boys reached the ultimate for the primary time and gave East African soccer one among its proudest moments at continental youth degree.
The ultimate began with Senegal displaying early intent, as Mouhamed Wagne created hazard contained in the opening minute.
However it was Tanzania who struck first.
Chenga gained the ball in midfield, superior in direction of the Senegal space and fired house from the sting of the field to provide the Serengeti Boys a shock lead after solely seven minutes.
The purpose rewarded Tanzania’s bravery and self-discipline, whereas additionally exposing early uncertainty within the Senegal defence.
Senegal responded by pushing ahead seeking an equaliser, however Tanzania remained compact and organised.
Within the twenty second minute, Ibrahima Sow got here shut for the Younger Lions with a header from a well-delivered cross by Thierno Sow, however Haji produced a nice save to protect Tanzania’s lead.
Senegal continued to press by means of set-pieces and large assaults, however they had been unable to interrupt by means of earlier than half-time.
Tanzania went into the interval forward, having proven the identical resilience and tactical maturity that carried them by means of penalty shootout wins over Algeria and Egypt earlier within the knockout stage.
After the break, Senegal elevated the tempo.
Commissaire Faye examined Tanzania from distance within the forty eighth minute, whereas Sega Fall Mbodji and Lamine Mbengue additionally threatened because the Younger Lions started to take management of possession and territory.
The strain lastly informed within the sixty fourth minute.
Faye delivered a harmful free-kick which Haji might solely parry, and Dione reacted quickest to faucet the free ball into the online and produce Senegal degree.
The equaliser shifted momentum in direction of Senegal, who appeared the extra harmful aspect within the remaining quarter of the match.
Tanzania, nonetheless, refused to break down.
They defended with self-discipline, stayed compact and appeared for possibilities to interrupt at any time when Senegal dedicated gamers ahead.
The match remained tense till the ultimate minutes, with each side trying to find the decisive second.
In stoppage time, Tanzania appealed for a penalty after a problem involving Thierno Sow, however after a VAR overview, the referee determined to not award a spot-kick.
That call ensured the ultimate could be settled from the penalty mark.
Senegal, who had already proven their nerve in shootouts towards Mali and Morocco in the course of the knockout stage, once more proved medical below strain.
Their 4 penalty takers transformed, whereas Tanzania couldn’t match that accuracy.
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The shootout victory accomplished a demanding marketing campaign for Senegal, who recovered from troublesome moments all through the match to complete as African champions.
They’d survived a dramatic quarter-final towards Mali, eradicated hosts Morocco within the semi-finals after which overcame a decided Tanzania aspect within the remaining.
For coach Lamine Sané’s aspect, the triumph was constructed on resilience, tactical self-discipline and the flexibility to deal with strain in decisive moments.
For Tanzania, there can be disappointment, but in addition satisfaction.
The Serengeti Boys depart Morocco 2026 having reached their first remaining, certified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and proven that East African soccer can compete with the continent’s strongest youth sides.
However the evening belonged to Senegal.
After a remaining of stress, restoration and penalty drama, the Younger Lions of Teranga stood tallest to say the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 title.
