Heartbreak & History: Senegal Edges Tanzania on Penalties to Win U-17 AFCON Title.

It took everything they had, but Senegal are the kings of African youth football once again.

On a tense Tuesday night in Rabat, the Young Lions of Teranga clawed their way back from an early shock to beat Tanzania 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, winning the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

For Tanzania’s Serengeti Boys, it was a heartbreaking end to a fairytale run. They came flying out of the gates. Just seven minutes in, Hamis Chenga bullied his way through midfield, drove toward the box, and fired home to silence the Senegal fans. For a moment, East Africa dreamt of a miracle.

Senegal looked rattled. Their passes were loose, their touch heavy. But champions find a way. In the 64th minute, Souleymane Commissaire Faye whipped in a dangerous free kick. Tanzania’s keeper, Haji Abdullahi, could only parry it and there was Ibrahima Dione, lurking at the perfect spot, to tap in the equalizer.

From there, Senegal took control. They pushed, probed, and pinned Tanzania back. In stoppage time, Tanzania begged for a penalty after a scramble in the box. VAR took a long look… and said no. So to spot kicks it went.

And that’s where Senegal’s cool heads told the story. Faye, Sadio, Dione, and Thior all buried their penalties. Tanzania’s Kilendemo and Mbegu saw theirs saved or skied. When the final kick hit the net, Senegal’s bench emptied. Second U-17 AFCON title in the bag.

For Tanzania, this will sting for a while. But they leave Morocco with their heads high first ever final, a ticket to the U-17 World Cup, and proof that East African football belongs on the big stage.

But on this night? Rabat wore Senegalese green.