Senegal staged a dramatic late comeback to beat Morocco 2-1 and win the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations title at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers on Friday.
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Morocco had taken an early lead after scoring in the 14th minute with a header from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. But Senegal was awarded a penalty with just ten minutes before the whistle and Serigne Diouf scored. Then just three minutes later substitute Mamadou Savane put them 2-1 up.
Morocco could not respond and Senegal became Africa’s U17 champions for the first time.
Senegal dominated Group A, defeating Congo (1-0), Algeria (3-0) and Somalia (3-0). The Lion Cubs of Teranga knocked-out South Africa (5-0) in the quarterfinals before facing Burkina Faso (1-1) in the semi-finals, where a penalty shootout (5-4) decided the match.
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Morocco also had a similar path to the Final. They finished top of their group ahead of Nigeria who they beat 1-0, South Africa (2-0) and Zambia (2-1). In the quarter-finals, they eliminated hosts Algeria (3-0). In the semis, they were held by Mali 0-0 and needed the penalties to advance (6-5).
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