U-17 AFCON
Nigeria, glaring absentees as Journey begins for Africa’s next generation of stars
Five-time world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are absent as the Africa U-17 Nations Cup kicks off this Sunday in Morocco. The team failed to cut the regional WAFU -B elimination series and thus will also be absent when the FIFA U17 World Cup kicks off.
The CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 kicks off this Sunday with a meeting between the host nation, Morocco and Uganda as 16 teams vie for the continental crown and a place at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup later this year.
The journey to a long national team career begins here for many of the continent’s top young talents, who will get a first taste of an international competition at the expanded tournament.
Morocco last staged the Under-17 continental finals in 2013 when Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho was one of the stand-out performers, and there will be many players in the Class of 2025 who will hope to have similarly successful club and international careers.
There will be a record 10 places for Africa at the 48-team FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, an opportunity for the continent to showcase its outstanding emerging talent on the global stage.
This will include the eight quarter-finalists and two more teams decided via play-off matches between the sides that finish third in their pools in the group stages.
The tournament will sport a new trophy, with the concept behind the silverware being the ‘Journey Begins’. It features a road-like structure symbolizing the player’s path, integrated with the map of Africa to reflect continental pride and unity.
Four venues will play host to matches – El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium and Berrechid Stadium, which are both in Casablanca, as well as the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida.
Proceedings get underway at the El Bachir Stadium on Sunday when Morocco play East African champions Uganda in a 22h00 kick-off (local time / GMT).
The following day Tanzania take on Southern African champions Zambia to close off the opening round of Group A fixtures in a 14h00 kick-off.
Later in the afternoon, Casablanca’s Larbi Zaouli Stadium hosts a Group B clash between the last edition’s bronze medallists, Burkina Faso and two-time champions Cameroon at 17h00.
The last fixture of the day, which takes place at the same venue, sees 2015 runners-up South Africa facing off against champions of the 1997 edition Egypt in an exciting north versus south duel at 20h00.
Group C and D fixtures will take place on Tuesday, 1 April with the reigning champions Senegal headlining the matches.
They take on The Gambia at the El Abdi Stadium at 14h00, while Somalia, who are making their second appearance at the finals, face off against Tunisia at 17h00.
In Group D, Mali, who finished fourth in the last edition, take on tournament debutants Angola at 17h00, while former champions Cote d’Ivoire eye an opening victory against Central African Republic at 20h00.
For a full list of CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Fixtures, Times and Venues – CLICK HERE
CAF U-17 CAF AFCON, Morocco 2025 Groups:
GROUP A: Morocco (Hosts), Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
GROUP B: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa, Egypt
GROUP C: Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia
GROUP D: Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic
-CAF
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In one of the most astonishing scorelines in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, Morocco demolished New Caledonia 16-0 to set a new tournament record and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
The Atlas Cubs’ breathtaking display in their final Group B match surpassed Spain’s 13-0 victory over New Zealand — a record that had stood for years — as they relentlessly piled on the goals from start to finish.
New Caledonia’s night turned disastrous early on when Typhan Dreuko and Jean Canehmez were both shown red cards in the first half, leaving the Oceania side with nine men for over an hour. Morocco capitalized mercilessly, turning the match into a goal festival.
Soukrat opened the scoring in the third minute before Oualid Ibn Salah (11’, 18’), Abdelali Eddaoudi (41’, 42’), Hidaoui (44’), Ziyad Baha (45+2’, 50’), El Khalfioui (48’), Nahel Haddani (56’, 59’), Abdellah Ouazane (73’, 90+2’), and Ismail El Aoud (80’, 90’) all found the net. Steevy compounded New Caledonia’s misery with an own goal in the 76th minute.
The result lifted Morocco to third place in Group B, behind Japan and Portugal. They now await confirmation of whether they will progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
Midfielder Abdelali Eddaoudi, who bagged a first-half brace and orchestrated Morocco’s attacking rhythm, was deservedly named Player of the Match.
The emphatic win not only restored Morocco’s confidence after earlier setbacks but also underlined Africa’s growing presence in youth football on the global stage.
With their record-breaking triumph, the Atlas Cubs have etched their names into FIFA U-17 World Cup history — a night of goals that will be remembered for generations.
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The U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco drew a scouting frenzy after nearly 200 club scouts descended on stadiums across the country between March 30 and April 19, hoping to snap up the continent’s next big talent.
In a report published on its official website, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed that many scouts from big European clubs were among the crowd, namely from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid. Top African clubs like Wydad, RS Berkane, and Al Ahly also sent talent scouts.
Ex-Ghana international Bernard Kumordzi, now a scout for Genk, was left spotted among the spectators.
“It’s my first U17 AFCON. Honestly, I didn’t expect this level. The set-up, the players, the organisation – top drawer,” said Kumordzi.
He added: “People compare this to past editions, but this one felt different — full of quality and potential. Sure, it can improve, but it’s already a breeding ground for excellence.”
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Morocco were crowned champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history after defeating two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties following a tense goalless draw in Saturday’s final at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.
The hosts held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send the home fans into raptures after a tightly contested final between two of the tournament’s most consistent sides.
The win ends Morocco’s long wait for continental glory at this level, just two years after finishing as runners-up to Senegal.
For Mali, it was heartbreak in their fifth final appearance, despite dominating large portions of the match.
Mali thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half through Fané, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up.
The North Africans responded by tightening their lines, with central defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri repelling Mali’s aggressive transitions.
Despite late pressure and a string of set-pieces from the West Africans, the deadlock remained unbroken at full-time.
Penalty drama seals historic win
In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot-kicks with confidence—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi and Ilies Belmokhtar all finding the net.
Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita both saw their efforts saved, handing the title to the jubilant hosts.
Coach Nabil Baha, who guided the young Lions with discipline and defensive rigour throughout the tournament, hailed his players’ composure. Morocco conceded just one goal in the entire competition.
Mali, led by Adama Diefla Diallo, had hoped to secure a third U-17 crown after lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2017. But their dreams were dashed by a well-organised and mentally resilient Moroccan side.
Stalemate in regular time
Neither side managed to find a breakthrough in regulation time, although both had chances in an absorbing tactical contest.
Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub threatened from range while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were lively throughout, but their final efforts lacked precision.
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