Morocco won the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title after a penalty shootout victory over Mali (4-0), champions in 2015 and 2017. The regular time ended with a goalless draw.
This marks Morocco’s first-ever title in the U17 AFCON category.
Despite numerous chances from both sides, the score remained level throughout the match. During the penalty shootout, Moroccan goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch was instrumental in keeping his team in the game.
Immediately after the end of the final match, King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the Lion Cubs for their victory.
“Following the Moroccan U-17 national football team’s victory at the 2025 AFCON—hosted by our country with generous hospitality and a warm welcome—it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations on this well-earned African title,” the King wrote in the message.
“As I take great pride in congratulating you on this historic first-ever continental achievement, I highly commend the efforts made by all members of our young national team—emerging players, coaches, technical staff—as well as the officials and leadership of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, to secure this major title,” the Sovereign emphasized.
The King lauded the brilliant journey of the Lion Cubs throughout the competition, their promising football talent and performances, strong competitive spirit, and deep sense of patriotism, which enabled them to secure and retain the Cup on home soil, further reaffirming the prominent stature of Moroccan football on both the continental and global stage.
The Monarch said he was deeply confident that this victory would be a great source of motivation and a model for young athletes and Moroccan youth to follow, with a view to persevering and striving for greater performances and awards in continental and international sporting competition, across all categories and disciplines.
At the end of the final, Belaarouch was named by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Man of the Match and later received the Golden Glove award during the medal awarding ceremony. Abdellah Ouazzane was honored with the Best Player of the Tournament award.
Côte d’Ivoire secured third place in the tournament by defeating Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties (1–1 after regular time) in a match played on Friday.