Senegal VS. Morocco – TotalEnergies AFCONU17 2023 – Final
Stage set for Senegal and Morocco showdown in the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Final at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Friday night
The stage is set for what promises to be a thrilling final between Senegal and Morocco at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria in the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
The two have been amongst the most consistent performers in the competition. The final will kick-off at 22h00 local time (21h00 GMT) and will be watched in several parts of Africa.
CAF TV partners including beIN Sport, SuperSport, Canal+, StarTimes will show the final live including 30 Free-to-Air TV stations in Africa.
In territories where there is no TV partner, CAFTV (YouTube) will show the final.
So far, the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Algeria 2023 has been a resounding success attracting a number of top scouts from leading African clubs and also European clubs.
CAF and the Local Organizing Committee (“LOC”) have been working hard in the last few hours preparing for the final.
While the 90 minutes will be the main event, a beautiful pre-event music and entertainment performance is being prepared featuring some top artists in Algeria.
The artists include the musical group Freelance, and the Algerian legend Cheb Bilal.
Tickets for the final can be purchased on the platform TADKIRATI and in all approved distribution points.
Road to the Final:
Senegal dominated Group A, defeating Congo (1-0), Algeria (3-0) and Somalia (3-0). The Lion Cubs of Teranga knocked-out South Africa (5-0) in the quarterfinals before facing Burkina Faso (1-1) in the semi-finals, where a penalty shootout (5-4) decided the match.
Morocco also had a similar path to the Final. They finished top of their group ahead of Nigeria who they beat 1-0, South Africa (2-0) and Zambia (2-1). In the quarter-finals, they eliminated hosts Algeria (3-0). In the semis, they were held by Mali 0-0 and needed the penalties to advance (6-5).
TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: We were patient and organized, says Morocco’s Said Chiba
Morocco’s coach Said Chiba has paid glowing tribute to his players for executing their tactical plan to the latter, as they edged out Mali 6-5 on post-match penalties in Constantine on Sunday to qualify for the final of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Atlas Cubs held on for a barren draw in regulation time, shutting out a potent Malian attack, before goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil’s heroics saw them triumph on penalties.
“We knew that we were going into a difficult game and we needed to manage it well and to ensure Mali, which is a very high-level team, does not find its rhythm and channels to attack. We played compact as to how we had planned,” the coach noted.
He added; “We were patient and very organized and this was the only solution for us to win. We executed our plan really well and these players have demonstrated a lot of tactical discipline beyond their age.”
Morocco have had one of the meanest defenses in the tournament so far, and they have only conceded twice, against Zambia, in their last Group B match in which they changed almost the entire team as qualification to the quarter final was already confirmed.
Morocco have made it to the final for the first time ever, as their best performance prior to this was a fourth-place finish when they hosted the tournament in 2013.
“I am proud of the players and proud of this team. We have made everyone at home proud and now we hope for one more beautiful story,” Chiba added.
Morocco switch attention to next Friday’s finale when they take on Senegal, who have also qualified into the final for the first time ever.
Dia delighted to guide Senegal to its first ever TotalEnergies U17 AFCON final
Senegal prevailed 5-4 on post-match penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This is their third participation at the tournament and in the previous two editions they have played in, the Teranga Cubs have not made it past the group stages.
“I congratulate my players who fought hard to achieve this objective of going into the final. I also congratulate Burkina Faso because it was a great quality match between the two sides,” the tactician said.
He adds; “playing the final for the first time ever is a great achievement for Senegal and we are all proud as a team.”
Looking back to the match against Burkina Faso, the coach said it was a difficult duel, with tactical and physical prowess going head to head.
“We had two opposite styles with Burkina Faso. For us we try to progress with the ball from the back while Burkina Faso play with the long balls and attacking the second balls. They were also very strong in midfield. But as a team we put in a great effort,” Dia noted.
Meanwhile, he has paid a glowing tribute to academies and youth training centres in Senegal, saying this achievement was down to the work they have put in, to nurture talent from an early age.
“I want to thank the coaches of these players from all over Senegal as well as their training centres. We are trying to put things in place as a country and to give players the Senegalese identity from a young age, instill the values in them and we are now seeing the fruits,” Dia further added.
Senegal will now face off with Morocco in the final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Friday, where they hope to follow in the footsteps of other Senegalese national teams in winning continental titles.
Most recently, Senegal won the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted here in Algeria, while they won the U20 crown in Egypt. In 2021 they won the senior AFCON and the Beach Soccer AFCON.
Can they make it five in a row?
