After a tight goalless draw in Saturday’s final at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia, Morocco defeated two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties to win the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history.
After a fiercely contested final between two of the tournament’s most reliable teams, the home crowd went into raptures when custodian Zakaria Alaoui emerged as the hero, saving two penalty kicks to help the hosts maintain their composure in the shootout.
Only two years after finishing as Senegal’s runners-up, the victory puts an end to Morocco’s protracted quest for continental supremacy at this level.
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Even though they dominated much of the game, Mali’s fifth final participation was heartbreaking.
Both teams had opportunities in an exciting tactical match, but neither was able to make a breakthrough in regulation time.
Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were active all game, but their last attempts lacked accuracy, while Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub posed a threat from a distance.
Midway through the first half, Mali believed they had grabbed the lead through Fané, but VAR disallowed the goal due to a handball during the build-up.
Mali’s aggressive transitions were repelled by centre defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri as the North Africans tightened their lines in response.
At full time, the impasse had not been overcome despite late pressure and a series of set pieces from the West Africans.
Morocco confidently converted all four of their spot-kicks in the shootout, with Ilies Belmokhtar, Amine Ouahabi, Zakari El Khalfioui, and Ziyad Baha all scoring.
Issa Koné of Mali and Lamine Keita both had their efforts saved, and the triumphant hosts were given the championship.
Throughout the competition, coach Nabil Baha led the youthful Lions with discipline and defensive rigour, and he praised his players’ poise.
Throughout the competition, Morocco only gave up one goal.
Mali, headed by Adama Diefla Diallo, had hoped to clinch a third U-17 crown after lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2017.
But their ambitions were shattered by a well-organised and mentally resilient Moroccan team.