Tanzania and Senegal reach 2026 U-17 AFCON final after dramatic penalty shootouts

Tanzania and Senegal secured places in the final of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after both sides survived tense penalty shootouts in Rabat.

The two semi-finals, played on Thursday, 28 May at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, produced highly competitive contests that could only be decided from the spot after tightly fought encounters.

Tanzania defeated Egypt 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, while Senegal edged hosts Morocco 7-6 in another dramatic shootout after the match ended 1-1.

The results set up an unprecedented final between Tanzania and Senegal, with the defending champions now aiming to reclaim the title they previously won in 2023.

The semi-finals had been expected to be closely contested given the level displayed by the remaining four teams throughout the tournament.

Both matches ultimately confirmed those expectations as neither fixture produced a clear winner during normal time.

The opening semi-final between Tanzania and Egypt was a tense and cautious encounter in which both teams struggled to fully impose themselves.

The Serengeti Boys and the young Pharaohs largely neutralised each other across the 90 minutes, with defensive organisation dominating long periods of the match.

Egypt attempted to increase the pressure towards the end of the game, notably through Daniel Tamer, but Tanzania’s defence remained disciplined and goalkeeper Hadji Abdallah produced several important interventions.

With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the match moved to penalties where Tanzania once again demonstrated composure under pressure.

The East African side repeated the success they achieved against Algeria in the quarter-finals by winning another shootout 4-3.

The victory sparked emotional celebrations among the Tanzanian players and supporters as the country reached the final of the competition for the first time in its history.

The achievement also reflects the progress of Tanzania’s academy-based development programme, which is beginning to produce visible results at continental level.

The second semi-final later in the evening delivered even greater drama as Morocco and Senegal produced a high-intensity contest in front of a passionate home crowd.

The atmosphere inside the Moulay El Hassan Stadium intensified from the opening whistle as the hosts attempted to push towards a first final appearance since losing to Senegal in the 2023 tournament.

Senegal, however, began the match strongly and showed greater attacking intent during the opening stages.

Their pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when Faye’s initial effort was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Rayan El Yaakoubi, only for Mouhamed Wagne to react quickest to the rebound and score.

Morocco gradually responded as the first half progressed and believed they had equalised shortly before the interval through Adam Al-Laki.

However, a VAR review ruled out the goal in the 41st minute, leaving the hosts frustrated going into halftime.

The Atlas Lions continued to attack after the break and increased the pressure on Senegal’s organised defence.

Amine Moustach came close to scoring in the 62nd minute, while Brahim Rabaj struck the post with a dangerous effort twelve minutes later.

Senegal appeared to be closing in on qualification before late drama transformed the match.

A handball by Cheikh Dieng deep into added time was confirmed after a VAR review, giving Morocco a penalty in the 94th minute.

El Aoud converted from the rebound after the initial attempt to level the match and reignite the stadium.

The contest eventually moved to penalties where tension continued to rise.

After the first round ended level at 3-3, Morocco had the opportunity to move ahead when Alioui stepped forward following Dieng’s missed attempt.

But Senegal goalkeeper Assane Sarr produced a decisive save before denying Ellaky moments later to secure a 7-6 victory for the defending champions.

The dramatic win sent Senegal back into the final and preserved their hopes of lifting the trophy once again.

They will now face Tanzania in what will be the first final meeting between the two nations at this level.

Senegal previously won the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 in Algiers, where they defeated Morocco 2-1 in the final.

Morocco and Egypt will now contest the third-place play-off on Monday, 1 June at the Mohamed VI Complex.

The final between Tanzania and Senegal is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 2 June at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Remaining Fixtures

Third-place match – Monday, 1 June 2026

• Morocco vs Egypt
• Mohamed VI Complex – 20:00

Final – Tuesday, 2 June 2026

• Tanzania vs Senegal
• Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat – 20:00