Morocco’s remarkable push for football excellence at every level gained fresh momentum on Tuesday as the country’s U-17 national team defeated Mali 3–2 to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar — their first since 2013.

The Round of 16 clash at Aspire Academy Pitch 7 was a repeat of the 2023 U-17 AFCON final, which Mali won. This time, the Atlas Cubs showed grit and quality to turn the tables, underlining Morocco’s growing strength in youth development.

Morocco struck first through Ziyad Baha in the 29th minute, but Mali hit back on the stroke of halftime when Ndjicoura Bomba converted a 45+5 penalty. The Atlas Cubs responded instantly, reclaiming the lead through Ismail El Aoud at 45+11 before the forward completed his brace in the 66th minute.

Mali’s Berthe pulled one back deep into stoppage time (90+4), but Morocco held firm to secure a historic win.

Though Mali dominated possession with 58% and earned six corners to Morocco’s two, the North Africans were more efficient, firing 11 shots with seven on target compared to Mali’s 10 efforts and five on goal.

The victory capped an impressive campaign that has already seen Morocco record a staggering 16–0 win over New Caledonia and edge the USA on penalties in the previous phase.

Next up is a heavyweight quarter-final showdown with Brazil, who eliminated France on penalties. It will be a stern test, but Morocco’s youngsters continue to break barriers — reflecting the country’s wider quest for football glory on global, continental and developmental stages.

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Uganda and Burkina Faso delivered the shocks of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ Round of 32 on Saturday, with the tournament debutants edging Senegal 1-0 before the Burkinabè knocked out holders Germany by the same scoreline. 

South Africa and Tunisia exited after defeats to Japan and Austria respectively, while the last-16 line-up was completed with progress for England, Italy, Japan, Korea DPR, Austria and Uzbekistan.

Uganda struck early and held their nerve. Abubakali Walusimbi’s thumping drive from distance on 15 minutes beat Senegal goalkeeper Serigne Diouf to give the East Africans a lead they would not relinquish.

The Lions of Teranga, who had not conceded in the group stage, threw everything forward but found Edrisah Waibi in inspired form.

The goalkeeper, later named Player of the Match, produced a string of saves—his best a sharp stop from Mignane Ndour’s clean volley—as a penalty award was overturned and a late leveller ruled out for offside.

Waibi said the victory was built on character as much as tactics: “It was a good game; we played well. The physicality made it tough, but we were strong. It’s massive for my team to be in the last 16.”

Coach Brian Ssenyondo praised his side’s bravery: “We showed character, spirit and resilience. As tough as Senegal were, we fought for everything and deserved to win.”

Striker Alwaly Camara reflected on Senegal’s missed chances: “We should have won. We had three or four early opportunities. Mistakes cost you—next time, maybe things go our way.”

If Uganda’s win raised eyebrows, Burkina Faso’s result sent tremors through the tournament. Mohamed Zongo punished a German error on five minutes, cutting inside from the right to curl a stunning finish into the far corner.

Germany, champions in Indonesia two years ago, camped in the Burkinabè half after the break and thought they had equalised deep into stoppage time, but Benno Kaltefleiter’s close-range effort was ruled offside.

Burkina Faso coach Oscar Barro hailed a “flawless” display: “My young players showed tenacity, commitment and solidarity—these are warriors. They knew what they wanted and proved it on the pitch.”

Germany coach Marc-Patrick Meister admitted his side were short of their usual levels: “We didn’t play well and made a lot of mistakes with the ball. We kept going and were one goal short of penalties, but credit to my boys for the fight.”

Elsewhere, Japan’s high tempo proved too much for South Africa in a 3-0 win. After a goalless first half, Hiroto Asada poked home at the third attempt, Minato Yoshida added a composed second and substitute Shota Fujii headed a third to end Bafana Bafana’s campaign.

Tunisia also bowed out late, undone 2-0 by Austria as Johannes Moser converted an 83rd-minute penalty before a deflected effort off Mazen Slama Essefi sealed it a minute later.

Saturday’s results complete the last-16 cast, with Uganda and Burkina Faso joining England, Italy and Japan—each comfortable winners on the day—alongside Korea DPR, Austria and Uzbekistan.

For African fans, the headlines belonged to two bold, disciplined performances: Uganda’s first World Cup knockout victory and Burkina Faso’s dethroning of the champions.

-Cafonline

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Nine African sides have advanced to the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, with two intra-African ties guaranteeing at least two quarter-final contenders from the continent. 

Zambia face Mali and Senegal meet Uganda in Friday–Saturday’s first knockout matches, while Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia take on European, Asian and North American opposition.

All kick-off times below are local (Qatar).

All-African ties

• Zambia v Mali – Fri 14 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 8 (Mahmoud Soufi Stadium)
  A heavyweight contest between two familiar African rivals opens the round. Zambia’s attacking edge meets Mali’s tournament know-how in a clash that will send one African side into the last 16.

• Senegal v Uganda – Sat 15 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
  Group winners Senegal, inspired by a free-scoring frontline, face a disciplined Uganda who battled through a tight group. Expect high intensity and set-piece intrigue

The other African assignments

• Switzerland v Egypt – Fri 14 Nov, 16:00, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
  Egypt carry Africa’s hopes in a European test against compact Switzerland. The young Pharaohs’ transition speed will be key against Swiss organisation.
• USA v Morocco – Fri 14 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
  Hosts of AFCON 2025 at senior level, Morocco’s U-17s now seek a statement win against a well-drilled USA. Defensive concentration will be crucial against American pressing.

• Japan v South Africa – Sat 15 Nov, 16:30, Pitch 3 (Bader Bilal Stadium)
  South Africa’s resilience is rewarded with a meeting against Japan’s technical, high-tempo side. Bafana Bafana’s counter-attacking threat could decide it.

• Germany v Burkina Faso – Sat 15 Nov, 17:45, Pitch 2 (Ibrahim Khalfan Stadium)
  Burkina Faso earned their knockout berth with grit and big-moment goals. Germany provide elite opposition, but the Stallions have shown they can disrupt favourites.

• Austria v Tunisia – Sat 15 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
  Tunisia must unlock a disciplined Austria in a matchup likely to hinge on fine margins. Game management and set pieces look pivotal.

Why it matters for Africa

With nine representatives in the last 32 and two all-African fixtures, the continent is guaranteed at least two teams in the Round of 16.

The bracket also offers opportunities for further progress should Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia navigate their varied tests against European and Asian opponents.

The knockout phase follows a performance-based seeding from the group stage.

Teams from the same group cannot meet in this round; where necessary, fixtures are adjusted to avoid repeats.

The winners advance to the last 16 as the race to Doha’s final accelerates.

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