Senegal has announced its 23-man squad for the upcoming U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco from March 30 to April 19, 2025.
As the reigning champions, the Lion Cubs will be aiming to retain their crown and reaffirm their status as a dominant force in African youth football.
Senegal’s title defense begins
The Senegalese Football Federation officially unveiled the squad selected by head coach Pape Ibrahima Faye, who has opted for a strong lineup composed of young talents from some of the country’s most esteemed football academies.
Players from Génération Foot, Diambars FC, Darou Salam, and Dakar Sacré-Cœur form the backbone of the squad, underlining the country’s commitment to developing top-tier youth prospects.
Ahead of their departure for Morocco, the squad took part in a symbolic ceremony where they were handed the national flag, marking the official start of their mission to defend the title.
The team is set to travel later tonight to begin final preparations before the tournament kicks off.
High expectations for the Lion Cubs
With their triumph in the previous edition of the U17 AFCON still fresh in memory, Senegal enters this year’s competition with high expectations.
The objective remains clear: to successfully defend their title and continue the nation’s growing dominance in African football at all levels.
Senegalese youth teams have enjoyed remarkable success in recent years, with the senior and junior squads achieving significant milestones on the continental stage.
This U17 squad will look to build on that legacy and showcase the depth of talent within the country’s footballing system.
The upcoming tournament in Morocco promises to be a fiercely competitive one, with Africa’s brightest young prospects set to compete for glory.
As the defending champions, all eyes will be on Senegal to see if they can once again rise to the occasion and secure back-to-back U17 AFCON titles.
