May 20, (THEWILL) – Senegal’s Under-17 national team etched their name in the annals of football history with a resounding victory in the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
Mamadou Sawane emerged as the hero of the night, heading home the winning goal in the dying minutes to complete Senegal’s remarkable comeback against Morocco. The Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers bore witness to this historic moment as Senegal secured their first-ever U-17 Afcon title in a dramatic and unforgettable fashion.
In an encounter marked by determination and skill, Senegal’s young stars showcased their mettle and resilience. Morocco’s skipper, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, struck first blood in the 14th minute, putting his team in the lead. However, the Senegalese remained undeterred, steadily building their momentum. The breakthrough finally came in the 79th minute when Serigne Falou Diouf converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review.
This equaliser injected new life into the Senegalese side, setting the stage for Sawane’s heroics just four minutes later. The towering striker soared above the defence, delivering a powerful header that secured the victory and sealed Senegal’s place in football history. It is Senegal’s third continental title in just four months, further solidifying their dominance in African football.
Prior to their U-17 Afcon success, the team had triumphed in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) earlier in February at the same venue, followed by their U-20 AFCON victory in Egypt in March. This unprecedented achievement showcases the depth of talent and the unwavering spirit within Senegal’s football ranks, and their senior national team’s recent triumph in the AFCON 2021 and the AFCON Beach Soccer further adds to their growing legacy.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
