Senegal beat Morocco on penalties to reach U17 AFCON final

Senegal’s U17 football team booked its place alongside Tanzania in the final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2026) after defeating Morocco 7-6 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, on Thursday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

From the opening minutes, Senegal opted for long balls in an attempt to reach the Atlas Cubs’ penalty area, but without seriously troubling goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi.

Morocco’s first threat came in the 4th minute, though the move was cut short for offside. The Atlas Cubs remained on the front foot, notably through Ibrahim Rabbaj and Mohamed Amine Moustache in the 5th minute.

Under pressure from Senegal, the Atlas Cubs’ defensive line was severely tested but managed to blunt the Senegalese advances, thanks to the sound positioning of Ilian Hadidi, Adam Ellaky and Adam Soudi.

Senegal succeeded in opening the scoring through Mouhamed Wagner in the 23rd minute, after a scramble inside Morocco’s penalty area. Morocco responded through Mohamed Amine Moustache, whose shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Assane Sarr in the 28th minute.

The Moroccan players then stepped up their high press and dominated possession in search of an equalizer, but were unable to alter the score before the halftime whistle. After the break, the Atlas Cubs kept up their attacking tempo, urged on by relentless support from a crowd firmly behind them.

The introductions of Marouane Bentaleb in the 70th minute, followed by Hamza Chllali and Adnan El Boujjoufi in the 77th, injected fresh energy into the Atlas Cubs’ performance. They battled to get back on level terms but came up against a well-organized Senegalese defense.

More tactically disciplined and well-structured across the pitch, the Atlas Cubs produced a fluid, composed display that allowed them to threaten Senegal’s goal on several occasions.

The Atlas Cubs eventually found the equalizer through captain Ismail El Aoud in the ninth minute of stoppage time.