Senegal Lead TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Best XI After Penalty Shootout Triumph
Senegal win TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026; Best XI named as Senegal and Tanzania dominate, with award winners and rising young talents across Africa
Senegal were crowned champions at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 after a tense final in Rabat, and the tournament’s Best XI has been revealed with the Young Lions well represented. The selection, officially announced after the final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, underscores Senegal and Tanzania’s dominance in youth football across the event. The Best XI includes award winners such as Golden Glove recipient Assane Sarr, Golden Boot winner Dismas Athanasi and Player of the Tournament Issa Chole. Hosts Morocco and third-placed Egypt also contributed standout performers to the final selection.
Senegal clinch second title in three editions
Senegal secured their second U-17 AFCON crown in three tournaments by defeating Tanzania on penalties in the final in Rabat. The Young Lions of Teranga matched their 2023 achievement in Algeria with a composed and defensively solid display throughout the competition. Goalkeeper Assane Sarr, who claimed the Golden Glove, was decisive in the shootout and across the knockout stages, his performances earning him a place in the Best XI. Full-backs Lamine Mbengue and Thierno Sow supplied width and balance for Senegal, while winger Mouhamed Wagne provided direct attacking threat.
Tanzania reach first-ever U-17 AFCON final and produce four Best XI picks
Tanzania’s run to the final marked a milestone for the East African nation, reaching their first-ever U-17 AFCON decider and advancing their recent upward trajectory in youth football. The team’s strong showing was reflected by four players named in the Best XI: defender Hussein Mbegu, midfielder Issa Chole, playmaker Dismas Athanasi and forward Razaki Mbegelendi. Issa Chole was recognized as Player of the Tournament for his influence in midfield, combining ball-winning ability with incisive distribution. Dismas Athanasi finished as Golden Boot winner with three goals and was pivotal in Tanzania’s most dangerous attacking moments.
How the Best XI shapes up across the pitch
The Best XI blends defensive resilience, midfield control and a varied attacking line capable of both finishing and chance creation. Assane Sarr anchors the backline as the tournament’s top goalkeeper, praised for shot-stopping and command of his area. The defensive quartet pairs Senegalese solidity in Sow and Mbengue with Morocco’s tournament captain-like presence Adam Soudi, giving the side balance between physicality and tactical awareness. In midfield, the trio of Chole, Egypt’s Ahmed Abdelhalim and Athanasi provides a mix of creativity, engine and scoring threat, while the front three of Mbegelendi, Mohamed Amine Moustache and Mouhamed Wagne supply pace and directness. The composition of the XI highlights teams that reached the latter stages and the individuals who consistently influenced matches.
Awards and individual honours that defined the tournament
Award winners were central to the Best XI narrative, with several prize recipients anchoring the selected eleven. Assane Sarr’s Golden Glove reward acknowledged his clean sheets and critical saves, particularly in knockout matches. Dismas Athanasi took the Golden Boot with three goals, showing an ability to find space in tight defence and finish clinically. Issa Chole’s Player of the Tournament accolade reflected his overall contribution to Tanzania’s midfield structure and his leadership at a pivotal age-group level. These recognitions underline the impact of individual excellence within collective team performance at U-17 level.
Hosts Morocco and Egypt make notable contributions
Hosts Morocco finished fourth after a memorable campaign and contributed two players to the Best XI in defender Adam Soudi and forward Mohamed Amine Moustache. Soudi stood out across the tournament for his defensive leadership and aerial presence, while Moustache’s attacking displays showcased technique and movement in the final third. Egypt secured third place by beating Morocco in the playoff and had midfielder Ahmed Abdelhalim included in the Best XI for his composure and ball progression. Both nations’ inclusions reflect strong youth programs and the ability to produce players ready to compete at continental tournaments.
Implications for African youth development pathways
The composition of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Best XI highlights regional growth and the widening scouting footprint across Africa. Senegal’s repeat success points to effective talent identification and structured development that carries players from national youth leagues to continental stages. Tanzania’s ascent to their first final, following success in CAF African Schools competitions in recent years, signals effective grassroots initiatives and a pathway that is beginning to yield competitive results at U-17 level. Morocco and Egypt’s sustained performances reaffirm the strength of North African academies and domestic youth systems that consistently deliver technically proficient players.
Senegal and Tanzania’s heavy representation in the Best XI also offers a snapshot for clubs and national associations monitoring emerging talent ahead of the U-20 cycles and professional transitions. The mix of goalkeeping excellence, defensive cohesion, midfield creativity and attacking flair in the selection suggests that African youth tournaments continue to produce balanced players capable of adapting to varied tactical approaches. Scouts and coaches will likely track this cohort as they move into higher age groups, with several names already earmarked for accelerated development.
Football federations across the continent can draw lessons from the tournament about the importance of competitive structures and international exposure at youth level. Regular participation in regional championships, like the CAF African Schools Football Championship, provided Tanzania with competitive seasoning that translated into confidence at the U-17 AFCON. Senegal’s sustained investment in youth coaching and physical preparation appears to have paid dividends in tournament consistency. For hosts Morocco, combining home advantage with strategic player showcases helped underline the country’s depth of emerging talent.
The Best XI announcement also carries immediate significance for the players included, offering visibility and a platform to secure club trials or inclusion in future national team plans. Recognition at a CAF U-17 AFCON event often triggers interest from domestic top-flight clubs and international academies seeking to recruit promising teenagers. For the nations represented, these selections validate youth development policies while setting benchmarks for peers aiming to elevate their programs.
As the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 draws to a close, attention will shift to follow-up competitions and the next stages of development for these players. Federations will analyze performance data and match footage to shape individualized training, while clubs may move to integrate select talents into senior pathways. The Best XI provides a curated snapshot of the tournament’s brightest prospects and serves as a reference point for talent observers across Africa and beyond.
The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Best XI announcement crowns players who delivered consistently across a competitive fortnight in Morocco, and it highlights the accelerating quality of youth football on the continent. The tournament’s outcomes will influence scouting priorities and development strategies as these players prepare to progress to higher levels of the game.
