CAF U-17 AFCON: Morocco lifts trophy on home soil

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.Sweeps individual awards Host nation Morocco lifted the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in their history on home soil on Saturday at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia. Morocco defeated two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties following a tense goalless draw.



The win ends Morocco’s long wait for continental glory at the U-17 level, just two years after finishing as runners-up to Senegal. Mali on the other hand, suffered a heartbreak in their fifth final appearance, despite dominating large portions of the match. Read also: U-17 World Cup: Mali’s academy success holds lessons for Nigeria Neither side managed to find a breakthrough in regulation time, although both had chances in an absorbing tactical contest.

Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub threatened from range while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were lively throughout, but their final efforts lacked precision. Mali thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half through Fané, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up. The North Africans responded by tightening their lines, with central defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri repelling Mali’s aggressive transitions.

Despite late pressure and a string of set-pieces from the West Africans, the deadlock remained unbroken at full-time. Read also: CAF Under-17 AFCON kicks off with new trophy, logo In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot-kicks with confidence—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi and Ilies Belmokhtar all finding the net. Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita both saw their efforts saved, handing the title to the jubilant hosts.

The hosts held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send the home fans into raptures after a tightly contested final between two of the tournament’s most consistent side. Player of the Tournament: Amine Ouahabi (Morocco) Best Goalkeeper: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco ) Best Coach: Nabil Baha (Morocco) Fair Play Award: Mali Man of the Match – Final: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco).