Morocco have etched their name into African football history by winning their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating two-time champions Mali 4-2 on penalties after a nail-biting goalless final at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia. In a showdown marked by tactical discipline and defensive resilience, the North African hosts held firm before delivering under pressure in the penalty shootout, sparking jubilation among the home crowd.
The match, though lacking in goals, was rich in intensity and strategic depth. Both teams carved out opportunities, with Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub posing threats from distance, while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were a constant menace in attack. Fané thought he had broken the deadlock midway through the first half, only for VAR to rule the goal out due to a handball in the build-up—an incident that proved to be a turning point in a match defined by fine margins.
Mali dominated stretches of the game, particularly in midfield, but struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances. Morocco, meanwhile, adjusted their defensive shape expertly, with center-backs Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri snuffing out Mali’s quick transitions. Despite a flurry of late set-pieces for the West Africans, Morocco remained compact and composed, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the decisive shootout, Morocco’s spot-kick takers were flawless. Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi, and Ilies Belmokhtar all converted with composure. Moroccan goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerged as the hero of the night, saving efforts from Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita to seal a historic victory for the hosts. Alaoui’s heroics ensured that Morocco ended their campaign unbeaten and with just one goal conceded.
Head coach Nabil Baha lauded his side’s maturity and defensive discipline throughout the tournament. The triumph marks a major milestone for Moroccan youth football, coming just two years after their runner-up finish in 2023. For Mali, led by Adama Diefla Diallo, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow in their fifth U-17 AFCON final appearance, as their pursuit of a third title fell short against a tenacious and mentally robust Moroccan outfit.
