Senegal’s U17 football team secured a place alongside Tanzania in the final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2026).
Senegal defeated Morocco 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time on Thursday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
From the opening minutes, Senegal’s strategy focused on long balls into Morocco’s penalty area, but these passes did not pose a significant threat to Moroccan goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi.
Morocco’s first attacking threat came in the 4th minute, but the play was stopped due to offside. The Atlas Cubs pushed forward, with Ibrahim Rabbaj and Mohamed Amine Moustache leading attempts in the 5th minute.
Despite coming 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 opened the scoring through Mouhamed Wagner in the 23rd minute after a scramble inside Morocco’s penalty area. Morocco responded in the 28th minute, when Mohamed Amine Moustache’s shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Assane Sarr.
The Moroccan players then stepped up their high press and dominated possession as they searched for an equaliser. However, they 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.
Marouane Bentaleb was introduced in the 70th minute. Hamza Chllali and Adnan El Boujjoufi came on in the 77th. These changes injected fresh energy into the Atlas Cubs’ performance. They battled to get back on level terms but faced a well-organised Senegalese defence.
Displaying more tactical discipline across the pitch, the Atlas Cubs kept possession fluid and composed, creating multiple opportunities to challenge Senegal’s defence.
Morocco finally levelled the score when captain Ismail El Aoud scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time, capitalising on sustained team pressure.