Senegal were crowned champions of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, after beating Tanzania 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s final in Rabat.
The Young Lions of Teranga had to come from behind at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after Tanzania stunned them with an early goal through Hamis Chenga in the seventh minute.
Ibrahima Dione equalised for Senegal in the 64th minute, turning in from close range after Tanzania goalkeeper Haji Abdullahi failed to hold a free-kick from Souleymane Commissaire Faye.
With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the final was decided by penalties, where Senegal showed greater composure to claim another continental title at this level.
Faye, Sadio, Dione and Thior all converted for Senegal in the shootout, while Tanzania scored through Usuph and Mbegelendi, but saw Kilendemo and Mbegu miss their attempts.
The victory secured Senegal’s second U-17 AFCON title and further underlined the strength of the country’s youth football development system.
For Tanzania, defeat brought a painful end to a historic campaign in which the Serengeti Boys reached the final for the first time and gave East African football one of its proudest moments at continental youth level.
U-17 AFCON Man of the Competition
Tanzania midfielder Issa Mussa Chole was named the Man of the Competition at the CAF U-17 AFCON, after playing a key role in the Serengeti Boys’ historic run to the final.
Chole was one of the driving forces of a Tanzanian side that exceeded expectations, reached the final for the first time and gave East African football one of its proudest moments at continental youth level.
Although Tanzania were beaten by Senegal on penalties in Tuesday’s final, Chole’s consistency, maturity and influence across the tournament earned him the competition’s top individual honour.
Golden Boot
Tanzania forward Dismas Shida Athanasi was named the Golden Boot winner at the U-17 AFCON, after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with three goals.
The 14-year-old was one of the standout stories of the competition, combining his status as the youngest player at the tournament with decisive performances that helped Tanzania reach their first-ever CAF youth final.
Athanasi’s goals played a major role in the Serengeti Boys’ historic campaign, as Tanzania progressed from surprise package to finalists before losing to Senegal on penalties in Tuesday’s final in Rabat.
His three goals were enough to place him ahead of a chasing group that included Tanzania teammate Ramadhani Mbegelendi, Uganda’s Ibrahim Arafat, Senegal’s Souleymane Faye, Ghana’s Eric Gyamfi and Egypt’s Zeyad Saoudi, who all finished with two goals.
Goalkeeper of the Tournament
Senegal captain Assane Sarr was named the best goalkeeper of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, after playing a decisive role in Senegal’s title-winning campaign.
He was one of the standout performers of the tournament, producing crucial saves in open play and proving decisive in three penalty shootouts as the Young Lions of Teranga were crowned African champions.
For Sarr, the individual award crowned a tournament in which he became much more than a goalkeeper. He was a leader, organiser and match-winner for a Senegal team that had to survive some of the most demanding moments of the competition.
