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BEIRUT: Morocco’s U-17 national football team made history on Saturday by winning their first Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title after edging past Mali 4-2 on penalty shootouts.

The final match saw little in the way of clear chances, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock throughout 90 minutes of a goalless draw.

In the second half, the Atlas Lions increased their tempo, obviously paving their way for a breakthrough, but could not hit the Malian net.

With no goals to separate the two, the match went to penalties, where Morocco held their nerve.

Goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch emerged the hero, saving two spot-kicks to secure a historic victory for his teammates, winning their first continental title at the U-17 level.
With this victory, Morocco has now conquered every single AFCON title, from U-17 to U-20, U-23 and the senior level.
On the way to the final game, tournament hosts Morocco faced off against Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal and edged them out 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, runners-up Mali beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in the second semifinal.
The Atlas Lions had topped Group A with seven points ahead of Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania. Meanwhile, Mali came second in Group D, six points behind leaders Cote d’Ivoire, who led the group with seven points.