U17 AFCON: Senegal come from behind to beat Morocco and win first title

One competition after another, the story is the same for Senegal. The country of the Teranga has won another trophy. The Lionceaux have taken the U17 AFCON against Morocco on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. It is a first for the country of Sadio Mané in this competition.

Senegal made a poor start to the final, though, conceding as early as the 14th minute. Atlas Lionceaux captain Ait Boudlal opened the scoring, glancing a header down from a well-delivered corner. The Moroccans were more clinical with their first chance. A thoroughly tense Senegal side struggled to create danger in the opposition box. Morocco therefore went into the dressing room with the lead (1-0).

In the second half, Senegal looked more dangerous. Mamadou Sadio shot just over the crossbar of the Moroccan goalkeeper. At the other end, Morocco created a chance when Maali struck from the edge of the box but missed the target. Trailing, Senegal refused to give up. The Lionceaux were even awarded a penalty after a handball by Moroccan goalscorer Ait Boudlal. Serigne Fallou Diouf stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way with a perfect penalty. Senegal levelled and were back in the game. And worse was to come for the Atlas Lionceaux. Serigne Saliou Dia's side went ahead three minutes later through Mamadou Sawané (83rd). He rose above the whole defence and powered home a devastating header. The Moroccans pushed to get back on level terms, but in vain. The Lionceaux thus claimed their first star in this competition.

Senegal have also won a third consecutive continental title in four months, after the U20 AFCON last March and the CHAN in February.

U17 AFCON: results and full schedule of the competition

THE LIONS OF TERANGA HAVE STRUCK GOLD 🏆

Senegal claim their first ever #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 title 🇸🇳👏 pic.twitter.com/6ueaqGF5J6

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 19, 2023