Tanzania U17 3–3 Algeria U17: Six-Goal Thriller Ends in Penalty Heartbreak in CAF U17 AFCON Quarter-Final

Tanzania U17 and Algeria U17 produced a gripping 3–3 draw in a dramatic CAF Cup of Nations U17 quarter-final, before Algeria held their nerve in the penalty shootout to edge into the semi‑finals after an end‑to‑end contest that showcased both sides’ attacking talent and resilience.

• Tanzania U17 will play with . , on .
• Algeria U17 will play with . , on .

Tanzania U17

Algeria U17

Substitutions:

Tanzania U17

• H. Mihambo (H. Kizinga, 64)
• D. Athanasi (H. Barua, 90)

Algeria U17

• W. Nechab (Y. Messaoudi, 62)
• B. Daaou (A. Benali, 62)
• I. Grini (A. Zaoui, 85)
• Y. Tifrani (N. Benmedjdoub, 90)

Ball possession:

From the outset, this quarter-final had the feel of a classic knockout tie. Tanzania, roared on by a passionate following, twice fought back from losing positions in normal time to force a shootout, while Algeria mixed sharp transitions with clinical finishing to stay one step ahead for most of the evening.

Passes:

Despite the six goals and the ebb-and-flow of the contest, the official match data recorded both sides with 0% ball possession – Tanzania U17 on 0 and Algeria U17 on 0 – and no registered efforts on target or off target for either team. On paper, Tanzania finished with 0 shots on target and 0 overall attempts, while Algeria were also credited with 0 shots on target and 0 total efforts. The statistical anomalies did little to reflect the drama on the pitch, where both attacks constantly looked to exploit space behind the back lines.

Defense:

The lack of registered shooting data meant there was no official leading marksman in terms of attempts for either side, with no player recorded as the most active in front of goal for Tanzania and no Algerian identified as their most prolific shooter. Yet the flow of the game told a different story, with both teams trading chances and momentum throughout the 90 minutes.

Face-to-face:

In possession terms, neither side was credited with a single completed pass in the official statistics. Tanzania U17 posted a pass accuracy of 0% from 0 total passes, while Algeria U17 likewise registered 0% accuracy from 0 passes attempted. With 0 key passes logged for Tanzania and 0 for Algeria, the raw numbers offered no clue to the combination play and incisive forward movements that repeatedly opened up spaces in midfield and the final third.

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• I. Cholle (Tanzania U17) at 81 minute
• I. Grini (Algeria U17) at 67 minute
• A. Zaoui (Algeria U17) at 90 minute

Penalties in a match:

• R. Mbegelendi (Tanzania U17) at 120 minute
• E. Yusuph (Tanzania U17) at 120 minute
• L. Mbalasalu (Tanzania U17) at 120 minute
• H. Kizinga (Tanzania U17) at 120 minute
• I. Mekkaoui (Algeria U17) at 120 minute
• K. Touali (Algeria U17) at 120 minute
• A. Dahmas (Algeria U17) at 120 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Tanzania U17 – W
• Algeria U17 – D

Top 5 CAF Cup of Nations – U17 scorers:

1. (0, )
2. (0, )
3. (0, )
4. (0, )
5. (0, )

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Tanzania U17 will play with . , on .
• Algeria U17 will play with . , on .