Morocco have made history by winning their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON) title, edging out two-time champions Mali 4-2 on penalties after a tense goalless draw in the final on Saturday at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.
In front of a passionate home crowd, goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerged as the hero, making two crucial saves in the shootout to seal Morocco’s maiden title and spark wild celebrations across the stadium.
The victory ends Morocco’s long wait for continental U-17 glory, coming just two years after they finished as runners-up to Senegal in the 2023 edition. For Mali, it was a bitter blow in what was their fifth final appearance, having won the title in 2015 and 2017.
The final was a tightly contested affair, showcasing tactical discipline from both sides. Neither team could find a breakthrough in regular time, despite several chances in a match filled with intensity and drama.
Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub tested Mali from distance, while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané posed constant threats up front, though their finishing lacked sharpness.
Mali looked to have taken the lead in the first half through Fané, but VAR ruled out the goal for a handball in the build-up, much to the dismay of the West Africans.
The Moroccan defence, marshaled by Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri, remained composed under pressure, especially in the dying minutes as Mali pushed for a late winner with a flurry of set-pieces.
Penalty Shootout Delivers Glory
When it came down to penalties, Morocco were flawless, with Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi, and Ilies Belmokhtar all converting their efforts.
For Mali, Issa Koné and Lamine Keita saw their shots saved by Alaoui, dashing their hopes of a third title and handing the host nation a historic win.
Head coach Nabil Baha praised his side’s resilience and defensive solidity, having conceded just one goal throughout the entire tournament.
Though Mali’s journey to the final was full of promise, their dreams were ultimately undone by a disciplined, determined, and mentally strong Moroccan team who now stand proudly as the U-17 AFCON 2025 champions.
🇲🇦 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🇲🇦
No place like home, right? Hosts Morocco are your #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 winners! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JP3nddsiMN
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 19, 2025
