U17 AFCON Final: Senegal – Tanzania, a historic shock

At the time of the draw for groups in this edition of the U17 CAN, not many people would have bet on this poster for the final. Yet it is Senegal and Tanzania that will compete for the succession of Morocco this Tuesday evening. For both teams, this final is much more than just a football match: it is the culmination of a national training project. 


On the Senegalese side, winners of the event two editions ago, the ambition remains intact. It is a question of consolidating the status of the country of Teranga as the essential breeding ground for young talents in Africa and to embroider a second star on the jersey of the U-17. For the assistant coach, Seydina Issa Aidara, it is time for maximum concentration:

«The real story is written in the final, not before. You have to stay humble, focused, and wait until you win the cup to explode and gloat," 

he confides.

For Tanzania, getting to this stage of the competition is a positive earthquake, but not a coincidence. The Serengeti Boys are playing in their first continental final ever in this category. This success is a direct continuation of the work of the Tanzanian Federation (TFF), since this golden generation has already distinguished itself by winning the CAF African School Football Championship in 2024 and 2025. A title in Rabat would definitely mark the emergence of East African football at the highest level.

A journey by forceps to Rabat
To win their ticket for this Tuesday evening, the two teams had to go through real emotional ascenders during stifling semi-finals, decided each time during penalty shootouts.

Tanzania created the feat by neutralizing Egypt after an ultra-tactical match (0-0). The Serengeti Boys were able to count on a decisive reflex stop from their goalkeeper Haji Abdallah at the very end of the game in front of Daniel Tamer, before showing up clinically during the fateful session (4-3 TTY). A mental triumph that confirms the solidity of a group already victorious over Algeria in the previous round, at the end of the suspense.

The fate of Senegal was equally hitchcockian against Morocco, host country. In a stadium in fusion, the Lion Cubs thought they could hold their qualification thanks to the opportunism of Mouhamed Wagne. But at the end of the extra time (90th+5), the Moroccans snatched the equalizer by Ismail El Aoud, who followed well after his penalty initially repelled by Assane Sarr (1-1). Far from collapsing, the Senegalese goalkeeper turned into a national hero during an unbreathable penalty shoot-out won 7-6 by the Lionceaux.

The key dwells
Beyond the collective opposition, this final offers a duel of fascinating individualities to follow closely in midfield. The Senegalese mid-game will be governed by its regulator, Souleymane Faye, already nicknamed "Commissioner". At 17, the young crack impresses with his maturity, tactical discipline and keen sense of collective sacrifice. 

Facing him, Tanzania aligns the absolute attraction of the tournament: Dismas Shida Athanasi. At only 14 years old, this player trained at the Francis Foundation Academy is the youngest of the competition, but already leads the scoring chart with three goals (a goal against Mozambique and a double against Algeria). Great admirer of Eden Hazard, the Tanzanian attacking midfielder sweeps the pressure with a wave of his hand:

«The pressure? I don’t feel it, just because I love football deeply. I don’t play for my own back, I play to make the team win.”

Whatever happens tonight at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, the two finalists have already validated the essential: their ticket for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December. But this Tuesday, once the kick-off is given, only African gold will count.