AFCON U17: Senegal Claim Another Continental Crown In Algeria
Senegal are once again champions of Africa after winning the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria following victory over Morocco in the final.
The West Africans continue to dominate the continent, having already won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations at senior level, the CHAN championship, the U20 AFCON and the Beach Soccer Championship within a year.
On Friday night, the U17 side produced a strong finish to come back from a goal down to beat the Atlas Cubs and win the tournament for the first time in their history.
Abdelhamid Boudlal’s first half header opened the scoring for the North Africans after just 14 minutes.
The Moroccans enjoyed most of the possession in the first-half and seemed to be headed for glory until the last ten minutes.
The Teranga Cubs responded after 80 minutes of labouring for an equalizer after Serigne Diouf converted from the spot following a penalty which was awarded the West Africans.
Mamadou Sawane snatched victory with seven minutes remaining after rising high to head the winner.
Senegal and runners up Morocco as well as third-place Burkina Faso will represent Africa at the U17 FIFA World Cup.
Earlier, Sportglitz reported that the U17 teams of Morocco and Algeria sent a message of peace and unity to their leaders, after coming together for a photograph before their quarter-final clash at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tensions between the two nations have been high in recent times, with Morocco failing to show up at the CHAN tournament earlier this year due to the countries’ poor political relationship.
However, with sport being a unifying venture, the young footballers are hoping the neighbouring north African countries will be inspired to iron out their differences.
Somalia make history at AFCON U17
Somalia secured their first-ever point at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations currently ongoing in Algeria, after drawing with the Republic of the Congo on Tuesday night.
The east African nation, who are making their first appearance at the youth competition, also scored their first-ever goal at the tournament in the same game.
Dini Dahir made history after scoring in the first half as Somalia took the lead in the 32nd minute.
