U17 AFCON: Burkina Faso v Mali derby, Morocco take on Ivory Coast

A place in the U17 AFCON final is up for grabs on Tuesday night for Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco and Ivory Coast. With so much talent on show, another dazzling spectacle looks in store.

Burkina Faso v Mali, a clash of neighbours

Burkina Faso have been far and away the best side since the start of this U17 AFCON. Still unbeaten with 4 wins from as many games and an average of 2.4 goals per match, the U17 Etalons are sweeping all before them. Cameroon, Egypt, Africa and Zambia in the quarter-final know all about it. Led by their spearhead Ashraf Tapsoba, the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals and 2 assists, Oscar Barro's youngsters have what it takes to surprise Mali, who had to battle into the semi-final on penalties against Tunisia (1-1; 10-9). The two neighbours are bound together by plenty right now, but for the length of a semi-final they must fight it out to decide who goes through to the final.

Read also: U17 AFCON: Ashraf Tapsoba, Burkina Faso's new gem?

Morocco v Ivory Coast, the other heavyweight tie

Both still unbeaten, Morocco (against Zambia; 0-0) and Ivory Coast (against Angola; 0-0) dropped points on the second matchday of the group stage. The Eléphanteaux even played out another draw (0-0) against Senegal in the quarter-finals before beating the Lionceaux on penalties (5-3). Tonight, once again, there must be a winner, and Bassiriki Diabaté's side know how to grind it out, as they showed against Senegal, when their striker Alynho Haïdara (6 goals) lacked inspiration.

Read also: U17 AFCON: Alynho Haïdara, Ivory Coast's new goal machine

On the other side, Morocco, with Ziyad Baha (4 goals in 4 games), will look to wrap up the match without needing penalties, backed by their home crowd. That will be tough against a young Ivorian side who want to win the AFCON just as Emerse Faé's Elephants did a little over a year ago.

Semi-final schedule (GMT)

16:00: Burkina Faso v Mali

19:00: Morocco v Ivory Coast