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?
Chiba ready to battle with ‘familiar foes’ Senegal in TotalEnergies U17 AFCON final
Morocco’s head coach Said Chiba says he is ready for the battle awaiting his side as they take on Senegal in the final of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Friday night.
The two sides met during a four-nation training tournament in Morocco before the AFCON, with Chiba’s side winning 3-2 and he says this will be a game of familiar foes.
“This will be a competitive match. Senegal is one of the strongest teams in the tournament. They know us well and we know them well too. We will take our chances and give our best in the game,” Chiba stated.
He added; “Senegal has a lot of talent in the squad. Information on both teams is available and we also know each other so there are no secrets. The friendly matches gave us an idea about each other.”
Morocco and Senegal have both had the meanest defenses in the tournament, Senegal only conceding once, in their semi-final against Burkina Faso while Morocco have only conceded twice, in their last group stage match against Zambia.
Morocco have curved a niche of being one of the most tactically disciplined teams in the tournament especially defensively.
Chiba says they will need to create a good balance between their offensive and defensive tactics, knowing too well Senegal’s strength in attack as they have a strong forward line.
“We are ready to win the Cup without a doubt and that will need us to be good both defensively and offensively,” noted the coach.
He added that with their first target of World Cup qualification already secured, their next ambition, to win the title, is also within reach.
Playmaker Marouane Rayan Bayad has said the players have their focus locked on winning the title, as they look to make history of their own.
“It will be a difficult match. We have watched Senegal’s matches and they are a tough competitor and we respect them. We have prepared well and we will go into the match to win the title,” added the coach.
Both coach Chiba and forward Bayad say they are pushed on to make history on Sunday and make the people of Morocco happy as they have offered them immense support during the tournament.
Senegal’s Dia keen to write history in TotalEnergies U17 final
Senegal’s head coach Saliou Dia says he is keen to see his side achieve history when they take on Morocco in the final of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Friday night.
The game, penciled to kick off at 22h00 local is expected to be explosive, with both teams playing the final for the first time.
Senegal have made it out of the group stages for the first time ever, and have continued their fairytale run to the final. And now, the Taranga Cubs want to take one more massive step towards another piece of history; winning the crown.
“We have enjoyed a good time in Algeria and are thankful for everyone and the Algerian people for making this stay comfortable and memorable. Now, the players and Senegal as a team want to write history,” Dia said, speaking during Thursday afternoon’s pre-match press conference.
The tactician expects a tough but entertaining duel against Morocco, a game he says will need a lot of will and fighting spirit.
“It will be a good match. Morocco is performing well and achieving good results. We will do all we can to win the title and we will come up with a good game plan to ensure we counter their weak points and contain their strong points. This match is special. It is about making history,” the coach said.
He added that his side has to be patient especially in attack and not rush, and they have to remain calm and collected.
“The players have to be motivated right before the match and when we get to the field, we have to see what we can do.”
“Morocco has a strong team with a strong defense and we know what they have achieved so far. We have scored 13 goals in this tournament so that means we have a very good attack line. We will go all out against them,” the coach further noted.
Striker Ibrahima Diallo also bears the same sentiments as his coach and says the players will give their all and leave everything on the pitch to be crowned champions.
“We have trained well and we are psychologically and physically ready. We will try to do everything to win and be crowned champions,” the forward noted.
The Senegalese are looking to create history, having already won the senior AFCON and recently both the U20 AFCON and the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which was hosted in Algeria.
