U-17 AFCON
Burkina Faso and Cameroon meet in Under -17 Afcon Group B opener
Burkina Faso and Cameroon open their Group B campaign at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 with a clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Monday (kick-off 17h00 local time / GMT).
This is the fourth meeting at the finals between the two sides. Of their previous three meetings at the finals, two games have ended drawn with Burkina Faso winning the other clash. All three of their previous clashes have been in the group stages.
Their first two matches in 1999 and 2001 both ended 1-1. Their last clash in 2023 saw Burkina Faso win 2-1 in their final group game.
When the teams have been paired before in the same group, Burkina Faso have progressed on all three previous occasions, while Cameroon have moved on in the tournament just once previously in 1999.
On all three previous occasions when Burkina Faso have faced Cameroon at the finals, they have ended in the top three, ending as runners up in 1999 and 2001, while they finished third in 2023.
BURKINA FASO FACTS
· Burkina Faso competing at their eighth finals. Only Nigeria (10), Mali (10) and Cameroon (9) have qualified for more. They have beenchampions in 2011, and runners-up in back to back tournaments in 1999 and 2001.
· They have only failed to progress beyond the group stages twice, in 2005 and 2007.
· The Burkinabereached the final in their first two appearances in 1999 and 2001.
· Third place finishers at the last finals in Algeria, despite losing their opening game against Mali in 2023, Burkina Faso recovered to defeat Cameroon 3-1 in their second group game, then defeated Nigeria in the quarter-finals. They lost to Senegal on penalties in the semi-finals, before defeating Mali in the play-off for third place.
· Burkina Faso were the first country in tournament history to reach back-to-back finals, doing so in 1999 and 2001, when they ended as runners-up. The only other country to achieve this feat is Mali, who won back to back titles in 2015 and 2017.
· They reached the final on their tournament debut in 1999 in Guinea, drawing their first two group games against Zimbabwe and Cameroon, before winning against hosts Guinea. In the last four they defeated Mali and lost to Ghana in the final.
· They made it to the final in 2001 in the Seychelles, defeating Mali and Seychelles, and drawing with Cameroon in the group stage. In the last four they defeated Guinea 2-1 and in the final they lost 3-0 to Nigeria.
· After final defeats in 1999 and 2001, they lifted the title at the third time of asking in Rwanda in 2011, despite an opening game loss to hosts Rwanda, they were able to defeat Senegal and Egypt 4-0 with Bertrand Traore scoring a brace to take them to the last four. Traore was on target in a 1-1 draw against Congo in the last four before they won on penalties. They defeated hosts Rwanda 2-1 in the final avenging their group stage loss.
· Burkina Faso were bronze medallist in 2009, defeating Zimbabwe 5-0, Malawi 2-0 and Niger 1-0 to reach the last four and then lost to Algeria 1-0, before winning bronze medal defeating Malawi 3-2 in the play-off for third.
· Making their eighth appearance at the finals, they have reached the knockout rounds in five previous tournaments in 1999, 2001, 2009, 2011 and 2023. They have only failed to progress beyond the group stages in 2005 and 2007.
· Burkina Faso’s record in their opening group game at the finals reads P7 W2 D1 L4. They have won their opening game at the finals twice in 2001 a 1-0 win over Mali and in 2009 a 5-0 triumph over Zimbabwe.
· They drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe in their first ever game at the tournament in 1999 the only occasion they opened up with a draw. They have lost their opening games in 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2023.
· Their biggest loss in their opening game was a 3-1 defeat against Ghana in 2007, while in 2005 they lost 1-0 against Zambia and 1-0 against Mali in 2023.
· Burkina Faso lost their opening game in 2011 against hosts Rwanda 2-1 but did manage to progress and went all the way to lift the title, they recovered to win their next two group games against Senegal 3-2 and Egypt 4-0.
· Edouard Dambre is the only player in the Burkina Faso squad to be based outside of his home country, he plays in Qatar for Al Saad.
CAMEROON FACTS
· Appearing in the tournament for a ninth time, they made their first appearance in Guinea in 1999. Only Nigeria (10) and Mali (10) have qualified for more finals than Cameroon (9). They are two times former winners in 2003 and 2019.
· Cameroon’s record in their opening game at the finals reads P8 W2 D1 L5.
· Cameroon have won their opening game at the tournament twice. In 2001 they recorded a 5-0 win over hosts Seychelles. They lost their opening game in four successive tournaments, in 2003 to Nigeria, in 2009 to Algeria, to Mali in 2015 and Ghana in 2017. They ended the barren run with a victory over Guinea in 2019 a 2-0 triumph as they would go onto win their second title. They lost their opening game at the last finals in Algeria against Mali losing 2-0.
· Cameroon’s win over Guinea in their opening game in 2019 is their only win in their opening game in their last six tournament participations.
· Despite losing their opening game in 2003 against Nigeria, Cameroon would recover and go onto lift the trophy, defeating Ethiopia 5-3 in their second group game. They rounded off their pool campaign with a 2-2 draw against Gambia, before defeating Egypt in the semi-finals 2-1 and Sierra Leone 1-0 in the final.
· Cameroon have kicked off the tournament against teams from West Africa six times previously. Their record in such games reads W1 D1 L4.
· Cameroon have faced teams from the WAFU region in 20 of their previous 28 games at the tournament. Their record in these games reads W2 D8 L10.
· Cameroon lost their last two games against West African teams. They were defeated by Mali and Burkina Faso in their two group stage games in 2023.
· In their last five tournament appearances they have managed to progress beyond the group stages just once in 2019, while they did not progress beyond the group phase in 2009, 2015, 2017 and 2023.
· Will be looking to duplicate the performances of the senior Cameroon national team, the Indomitable Lions who were crowned African Champions when Morocco hosted the 1988 AFCON.
· Cameroon made light work of qualifying through the UNNIFAC Zone, scoring 22 goals in their three qualifying matches while conceding a single goal.
· Cameroon U17 coach Alioum Saidou is a former Indomitable Lions international who represented his country at the 2006 AFCON finals in Egypt, starting and finishing all four games as they were eliminated on penalties by Cote d’ Ivoire in the quarter-finals.
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Senegal booked their place in the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026 after defeating hosts Morocco 7-6 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Thursday night’s semi-final at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium.
Goalkeeper Assane Sarr emerged as Senegal’s hero, producing crucial saves during a nerve-racking shootout to silence the home crowd and keep the Young Lions of Teranga on course for continental glory.
The victory sets up a fascinating final against Tanzania, who earlier secured a historic first-ever appearance in the tournament’s final by beating Egypt 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.
Senegal appeared destined for victory in normal time after taking a first-half lead through Mouhamed Wagne, only for Morocco to stage a dramatic late comeback.
The hosts rescued themselves deep into stoppage time when Ismail El Aoud converted from the rebound after Sarr had initially saved his penalty in the ninth minute of added time, sparking wild celebrations among the Rabat faithful.
However, Senegal regained their composure in the ensuing shootout, holding their nerve through a tense battle that stretched into sudden death before eventually prevailing 7-6.
The West Africans had looked the stronger side during the opening period and deservedly took the lead in the 23rd minute. Souleymane Commissaire Faye created the opportunity with a strong run down the right flank, and although his effort was parried by Moroccan goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi, Wagne reacted quickest to bundle home from close range.
Morocco thought they had levelled before halftime when Adam Al-Laki found the net in the 41st minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review, adding to the hosts’ frustrations.
The Atlas Lions increased the pressure after the break, with Amine Moustach and Brahim Rabaj both going close as Morocco searched desperately for an equaliser.
Their persistence finally paid off when Senegal defender Cheikh Dieng was penalised for handball late in stoppage time. Although Sarr brilliantly saved El Aoud’s penalty, the Moroccan midfielder reacted fastest to convert the rebound and force penalties.
The shootout produced further drama as both goalkeepers made important saves, but Sarr ultimately proved decisive, helping Senegal secure their place in Tuesday’s final.
Earlier in the day, Tanzania continued their remarkable tournament run by overcoming Egypt 4-3 on penalties after neither side could break the deadlock in regulation time.
The Serengeti Boys, already assured of a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, demonstrated remarkable composure from the spot to reach their first-ever U-17 AFCON final.
Egypt came closest to scoring during the match when Daniel Tamer’s powerful effort was brilliantly saved by Tanzanian goalkeeper Haji Abdallah.
With the match ending goalless, Tanzania converted four of their five penalties to complete a historic victory and eliminate the young Pharaohs.
The result ended Egypt’s impressive campaign, which had seen them reach their first U-17 AFCON semi-final since 2003 while also securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Tuesday’s final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat promises to be a compelling contest between tournament surprise package Tanzania and a Senegal side seeking to reinforce its growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading producers of football talent.
For Tanzania, the occasion represents an unprecedented opportunity to claim a maiden continental title. For Senegal, it is another chance to underline their dominance at the youth level and add another chapter to their impressive football development story.
Meanwhile, hosts Morocco will face Egypt in Monday’s third-place playoff as both nations seek to finish their campaigns on a positive note after suffering semi-final heartbreak.
After a tournament filled with excitement, goals and penalty-shootout drama, the U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 is now set for a thrilling conclusion with Tanzania and Senegal battling for the continental crown.
Remaining fixtures –U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026
All kick-off times are local time
Third-place match
Monday, 1 June 2026
Morocco v Egypt
Venue: CMVI – T8
Kick-off: 20:00
Final
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
Tanzania v Senegal
Venue: Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Kick-off: 20:00
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Four young products of Morocco’s renowned Mohammed VI Football Academy are set to carry the hopes of the host nation at the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
This underlines the remarkable success of the kingdom’s long-term investment in youth football development.
The quartet of Ibn Salah Oualid, Boughazir Adam, Harouch Mohamed, and Ezzarky Ayman have emerged from what is widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest football incubators. They are now preparing to showcase their talents on home soil during the continental championship.
The U17 AFCON has historically served as a launchpad for many of Africa’s future stars, and Morocco’s latest generation is being tipped to continue that tradition.
All four players are graduates of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, the elite institution established in 2009 under the initiative of King Mohammed VI as part of a broader strategy to transform Moroccan football into a global force.
The Academy’s philosophy combines top-level football development with academic education, ensuring that young talents from across the kingdom receive equal opportunities to grow both on and off the pitch.
Its sports-study model has increasingly become a benchmark in African football, producing technically gifted and disciplined players capable of adapting to the demands of international competition.
The emergence of the four youngsters at the 2026 U17 AFCON is also viewed as another milestone in Morocco’s carefully structured football project, which has already produced notable achievements at youth level in recent years.
Former Academy graduates played key roles in Morocco’s triumph at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and the country’s success at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, reinforcing the effectiveness of the nation’s player development pathway.
Moroccan football authorities believe the seamless transition from academy football to international success reflects a deliberate and sustained commitment to excellence driven from the highest levels of leadership in the kingdom.
As the tournament unfolds before home supporters, attention will be firmly fixed on the four Academy products, who now have the opportunity to write the next chapter in Morocco’s rapidly growing football story.
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Defending champions Morocco will begin the defence of their continental crown on home soil on Wednesday as the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 kicks off with 16 nations battling for African glory and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The tournament, which runs from May 13 to June 2, will introduce CAF’s new festival-style format aimed at creating a more integrated and development-focused environment for Africa’s rising football stars.
Most matches will take place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading football facilities, while the opening match, semi-finals and final will be staged at other designated venues.
Morocco, which lifted the title in 2025, headlines a difficult Group A that also includes Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia.
The hosts are expected to carry enormous pressure as they seek to retain the trophy in front of home supporters, while also continuing the country’s growing influence in African and global football.
Under coach Tiago Lima Pereira, Morocco are expected to rely on an aggressive attacking approach built around ball possession, high pressing and fluid movement. Young talents Adam Bougazir, Rami Loukmani and Ilyan Hadidi are already attracting attention ahead of the competition.
Morocco’s opening clash against Tunisia is expected to provide an immediate examination of their title ambitions. Tunisia, led by coach Nadjeh Toumi, are known for their tactical discipline and defensive organisation and could pose a serious threat to the hosts.
The Moroccans are not only chasing continental success but also one of Africa’s 10 tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
Under the tournament format, all eight quarter-finalists will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the four third-placed teams from the group stage will contest additional play-off matches to determine the final two African representatives.
The competition also reflects Morocco’s growing status as a major football host nation following recent successes in organising continental and international tournaments.
Elsewhere, Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
The tournament is expected to showcase some of Africa’s brightest emerging football talents, with nations hoping to combine continental success with qualification for the global stage in Qatar.
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