U-17 AFCON
Osimhen headlines list of CAF U-17 emeritus
As Napoli close in on their first Italian Serie A title in over 30 years, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s selfless team-work and impressive goal-scoring skills have been attracting worldwide attention.
Osimhen first showcased his abilities at the 2015 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and won the tournament’s Golden Boot.
However, he is not the only former participant of the tournament making waves in world football.
From Patson Daka to Omar Colley, many players have used the tournament as a launching pad to success.
At the 2015 CAF U-17 AFCON in Niger, Osimhen’s star began to rise as he scored three goals in the group stages, including a goal in Nigeria’s opening game against hosts Niger and a brace in their final group game against Zambia.
His final goal earned him global recognition and the tournament’s Golden Boot. Osimhen used this platform to build his reputation and career, and his achievements with Napoli and the Nigerian national team are testament to his talent.
Gambia’s Omar Colley, who won the U-17 Cup of Nations in 2009, was one of the key players in his team’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Colley, an accomplished defender who plays for Turkish club Besiktas, featured in all of Gambia’s games at the tournament. His success at the 2009 U-17 AFCON, where Gambia conceded just one goal in the entire tournament, was a proving ground for his career.
Patson Daka, the Zambian international and current Leicester City player, was a star in the making at the 2015 tournament in Niger.
Though he may have been in the shadows at the time, his ability to read the game, draw in defenders, and finish with the calmness of a centre forward was evident.
As his career moved on to Austria and then the Premier League, Daka’s qualities as a player have only grown.
Martin Hongla, the Cameroonian international, may have been eliminated early on in the 2015 tournament, but he showed glimpses of his potential.
Hongla’s desire and ambition to achieve bigger things in his career are now on full display.
Other notable alumni of the tournament include Kelechi Iheanacho, Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mali’s Mohammed Camara, and many others.
The CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations has played a significant role in shaping the careers of many players and has proven to be a launching pad for players who have gone on to achieve great success on the global stage.
Players like Osimhen, Colley, Daka, and Hongla have used the platform provided by the tournament to showcase their talent, develop their skills, and earn recognition from clubs worldwide.
As we look forward to the start of the next edition of the tournament in Algeria on Friday, we can expect to see more young players using this opportunity to launch their careers and make their mark on the beautiful game.
For the class of 2023, there is plenty of motivation to draw on the achievements of these players and carve their own pathway forward by making their mark on the world of football.
The U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco drew a scouting frenzy after nearly 200 club scouts descended on stadiums across the country between March 30 and April 19, hoping to snap up the continent’s next big talent.
In a report published on its official website, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed that many scouts from big European clubs were among the crowd, namely from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid. Top African clubs like Wydad, RS Berkane, and Al Ahly also sent talent scouts.
Ex-Ghana international Bernard Kumordzi, now a scout for Genk, was left spotted among the spectators.
“It’s my first U17 AFCON. Honestly, I didn’t expect this level. The set-up, the players, the organisation – top drawer,” said Kumordzi.
He added: “People compare this to past editions, but this one felt different — full of quality and potential. Sure, it can improve, but it’s already a breeding ground for excellence.”
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Morocco were crowned champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history after defeating two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties following a tense goalless draw in Saturday’s final at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.
The hosts held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send the home fans into raptures after a tightly contested final between two of the tournament’s most consistent sides.
The win ends Morocco’s long wait for continental glory at this level, just two years after finishing as runners-up to Senegal.
For Mali, it was heartbreak in their fifth final appearance, despite dominating large portions of the match.
Mali thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half through Fané, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up.
The North Africans responded by tightening their lines, with central defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri repelling Mali’s aggressive transitions.
Despite late pressure and a string of set-pieces from the West Africans, the deadlock remained unbroken at full-time.
Penalty drama seals historic win
In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot-kicks with confidence—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi and Ilies Belmokhtar all finding the net.
Mali’s Issa Koné and Lamine Keita both saw their efforts saved, handing the title to the jubilant hosts.
Coach Nabil Baha, who guided the young Lions with discipline and defensive rigour throughout the tournament, hailed his players’ composure. Morocco conceded just one goal in the entire competition.
Mali, led by Adama Diefla Diallo, had hoped to secure a third U-17 crown after lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2017. But their dreams were dashed by a well-organised and mentally resilient Moroccan side.
Stalemate in regular time
Neither side managed to find a breakthrough in regulation time, although both had chances in an absorbing tactical contest.
Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub threatened from range while Mali’s Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were lively throughout, but their final efforts lacked precision.
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Host nation Morocco continued their impressive run at the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, overpowering South Africa 3-1 on Thursday evening in Mohammedia to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Backed by a passionate home crowd at the Stade El Bachir, the Atlas Cubs were clinical when it mattered most, with Ziyad Baha scoring twice in a dominant second-half display after the teams went into the break with the Moroccans holding a slender 1-0 lead.
The win sees Morocco take a giant step towards their dream of lifting the title on home soil, as they now look ahead to a tough last-four encounter.
Morocco looked dangerous from the outset, with striker Ziyad Baha drawing an early save before Ismail El Aoud found the breakthrough in the 13th minute, smashing home from close range after a rebound.
Despite Morocco’s strong start, South Africa showed resilience. Neo Bohloko brought the Amajimbos level in the 54th minute, rising to head in a pinpoint cross from Emile Witbooi.
The goal sparked brief hope for the visitors, who had grown into the match after weathering early pressure.
Just as South Africa began to settle, Morocco responded with purpose. Within two minutes of the equaliser, Baha latched onto a headed pass from El Aoud to fire Morocco back in front in the 61st minute.
The forward then doubled his tally with another cool finish from Abdellah Ouazane’s through ball a minute later.
From there, Morocco remained in control, repelling South Africa’s advances with organised defending and launching swift counterattacks.
Chouaib Bellaarouch produced two key saves to deny Oageng Lebesane and Witbooi late in the second half, preserving Morocco’s advantage.
Meanwhile, the home crowd continued to spur the Atlas Cubs forward.
As the clock ticked down, the hosts managed the game with maturity beyond their years, frustrating South Africa’s desperate attempts to get back into the tie.
Baha, El Aoud, and Belmokhtar remained a constant threat on the break, while Morocco’s backline absorbed pressure with composure.
South Africa made several substitutions to inject energy into their attack, but Morocco’s structure and physicality proved too much.
With this victory, Morocco becomes the second team to confirm their spot in the semi-finals of the competition, joining Burkina Faso who advanced earlier in the day after thrashing Zambia 6-1.
As the tournament heads into its decisive phase, Morocco’s blend of attacking flair and defensive organisation will make them serious contenders for the U-17 AFCON crown.
-CAF
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