Senegal set for Tanzania showdown in 2026 U-17 AFCON final after semi-final drama

Senegal will face Tanzania in the final of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after both sides secured hard-fought victories in a tense semi-final round played on Thursday night.

The decisive stage of the tournament produced high drama, with Senegal booking their place in the final after a dramatic penalty shootout win over hosts Morocco. The result stunned the home crowd and ended Morocco’s hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil.

Tanzania also sealed their passage to the final in equally dramatic fashion, eliminating Egypt to continue their remarkable run in the competition. The result underlined Tanzania’s rise as one of the tournament’s surprise packages, having exceeded expectations throughout the knockout stages.

The semi-final outcomes confirmed a Senegal–Tanzania final, setting up an intriguing contest between a traditional youth football powerhouse and a breakthrough side chasing history.

The final is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at 20:00 GMT, with the title and continental bragging rights on the line.

Beyond the trophy, there is also a financial reward at stake. The champions will receive $125,000, while the runners-up are set to earn $95,000.

As anticipation builds, attention now turns to whether Senegal can assert their pedigree or if Tanzania can complete a fairytale run with a historic first continental title.