Senegal secured a dramatic victory over Mali in the quarterfinals of the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The match, played on May 24, 2026, saw Senegal advance to the semifinals where they will face host nation Morocco.
According to official match reports, Senegal took an early lead through a goal by forward Mamadou Diallo in the 15th minute. Mali equalized before halftime via a strike from midfielder Cheickna Doumbia. In the second half, Mali took the lead with a goal from Lassine TraorΓ©, but Senegal's substitute Pape Matar Sarr scored in the 78th minute to level the score at 2-2, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Senegal goalkeeper Alioune Badara Sy saved Mali's fourth penalty, while all five Senegal takers converted their spot kicks, securing a 5-4 victory. The win sets up a semifinal clash against Morocco, who earlier defeated Ivory Coast 3-1 in their quarterfinal match.
The U17 AFCON tournament is being held in Morocco from April 30 to May 25, 2026, with the top four teams qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year. Senegal, the defending champions from the 2023 edition, are aiming to retain their title.
