Hosts Morocco Face Mali In 2025 CAF U17 AFCON Final

Hosts Morocco Face Mali In 2025 CAF U17 AFCON Final

By Niyi Busari

Morocco and Mali will face off in the final of the 2025 CAF U17 African Nations Cup on Saturday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Mali booked their place in the final with a commanding 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Casablanca.

A goal in each half was enough to send the young Eagles through to Saturday’s championship match, where they will face the hosts, Morocco who defeated Ivory Coast in the second semi-final.

Mali opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Soumaila Fané, who rifled home a powerful shot from outside the box into the top corner, giving Burkina Faso goalkeeper no chance.

Despite a spirited response from the Stallions, Mali doubled their lead midway through the second half. Mahamadou Traoré rose highest to meet Fané’s pinpoint cross in the 74th minute, nodding home to put the result beyond doubt.

Burkina Faso ended the match with nine men after both Ali Koné and Alassana Bagayogo received second yellow cards in the second half, further compounding their frustration.

On their part, the hosts, Morocco Under-17 national team triumphed over Ivory Coast in a thrilling semifinal game that ended 0-0 at full time. Both sides created chances but they could not convert the scoring opportunities to goal leading to the teams going into penalty shoot out. 

In the decisive shootout, Morocco goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch was the hero of the night after making two pivotal saves, helping his country to clinch the final ticket with a 4-3 scoreline.

Burkina Faso will face Ivory Coast, the loser of the second semi-final in the third-place playoff, scheduled for Saturday.