After a dramatic final round of Group C action, Tanzania and Mali booked their places in the quarter-finals of the CAF U-17 AFCON and in the process, secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
Mozambique, meanwhile, clinched a playoff spot for the global tournament.
Mali 2-1 Tanzania
Scorers: Abdoulaye Touré (3’, 41’) / Hassan Mkindai (82’)
This was the headline clash in Group C, and the action started immediately. Barely three minutes into the match, Mali’s star striker Abdoulaye Touré found the back of the net to give the Young Eagles an early lead.
In outstanding form, the Malian forward doubled his tally just before half-time in the 41st minute, capping a dominant first-half display from his side.
Stung by the setback, Tanzania pushed hard in the closing stages and eventually reduced the deficit through Hassan Mkindai in the 82nd minute. Despite the defeat, Tanzania still finished top of the group with six points.
Both teams walk away satisfied, having secured qualification for the quarter-finals and officially earned the right to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Angola 1-2 Mozambique
Scorers: Francisco Eliseu (27’) / Allan Figueiredo (22’), Charif Carlos (55’)
This was truly a do-or-die encounter, and Mozambique struck first through Allan Figueiredo in the 22nd minute after an energetic start to the game.
Angola responded quickly, with Francisco Eliseu levelling the score just five minutes later, but the Young Palancas Negras struggled to maintain momentum afterwards.
After the restart, Charif Carlos produced the decisive moment with a clinical finish in the 55th minute to restore Mozambique’s lead. Strong defensively and well organised, the Young Mambas protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The victory secures third place for Mozambique and keeps their FIFA U-17 World Cup hopes alive through the playoff route, while Angola’s journey in the tournament comes to an end.
Senegal top group as Algeria qualify and Ghana keep U17 World Cup hopes alive
Senegal finished top of their group at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Algeria on a dramatic final day of group-stage action.
The Young Lions of Teranga came from behind to claim their second victory of the tournament, while Algeria still secured a place in the quarter-finals and qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Ghana also ended their group campaign on a high with a 3-1 victory over South Africa, a result that kept alive their hopes of reaching the U-17 World Cup through the play-offs.
The final round produced tension until the end, with Algeria and Ghana both finishing on four points, but Algeria advanced automatically because of their superior goal difference.
South Africa 1-3 Ghana
Scorers: Obama Mhlongo 66’ / Joseph Narbi 8’ pen, 42’ pen, Augustine Appiah 90+2’
Ghana knew they needed a strong performance to have any chance of extending their campaign, and they responded with one of their most efficient displays of the tournament.
The Black Starlets started with urgency and took an early lead through Joseph Narbi, who converted from the penalty spot in the eighth minute.
Narbi struck again before half-time, once more from the spot, to give Ghana a commanding 2-0 lead and put pressure on Algeria in the other group match.
South Africa, already under pressure, found a way back into the contest when Obama Mhlongo scored in the 66th minute.
But Ghana refused to lose control of the match and sealed the victory deep into added time when Augustine Appiah scored in the 90+2 minute.
The win was not enough to take Ghana directly into the quarter-finals, but it ensured they remained in the competition through the World Cup play-off route.
Senegal 2-1 Algeria
Scorers: Cheikh Dieng 15’, Souleymane Faye 43’ / Ilyes Mekkaoui 5’
Algeria made a perfect start against Senegal, stunning the group leaders with an early goal from Ilyes Mekkaoui in the fifth minute.
The young Fennecs played with confidence and intensity, but Senegal quickly showed why they have been one of the strongest sides in the group.
Cheikh Dieng brought the Young Lions of Teranga level in the 15th minute, restoring calm after Algeria’s bright opening.
Senegal then completed the turnaround just before the break when Souleymane Faye scored in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1.
Algeria pushed for a response after half-time, but Senegal defended their lead well and closed out the match to finish the group stage on six points.
Despite the defeat, Algeria had done enough across the group campaign to secure second place, a quarter-final ticket and a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Group update
Senegal ended the group stage as leaders with six points, confirming their place in the quarter-finals.
Algeria and Ghana both finished on four points, but Algeria took the second automatic qualification spot because of their better goal difference.
That means Algeria joined Senegal in the quarter-finals and also booked their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Ghana, despite their impressive win over South Africa, had to settle for third place and will now compete in the play-offs for a chance to reach the global tournament.
For the Black Starlets, it was not the direct route they wanted, but their final-day performance showed they still have the quality and belief to fight for a World Cup place.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
