Latest news with #TotalEnergiesCAFU-17AfricaCupofNations
CAF
19-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Ouazane named best player as Morocco sweep awards after historic triumph over Mali
Published: Saturday, 19 April 2025 Morocco dominated the post-match honours after winning their maiden TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations title, with several players and coach Nabil Baha recognised for their standout performances in the tournament held on home soil. Midfield maestro Abdellah Ouazane, who plays for Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, was named Player of the Tournament. The 16-year-old was instrumental in Morocco's march to the final, dictating play with composure, vision, and tactical intelligence. His ability to control tempo and deliver decisive moments in the midfield earned plaudits from the Technical Study Group. Another standout performer was goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, who claimed both the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and the Man of the Match title for the final. The Académie Mohammed VI de Football shot-stopper was a model of consistency throughout the campaign, conceding just one goal in the entire tournament. His heroics in the final included two penalty saves in the shootout against Mali that sealed Morocco's 4-2 win after a goalless draw. The architect of Morocco's success, Nabil Baha, was honoured as Best Coach. The former international led his side with a disciplined defensive strategy and a clear identity of play, guiding the Atlas Cubs to their first-ever continental title. Under Baha, Morocco conceded only once and went unbeaten across the tournament. Despite losing in the final, Mali were awarded the Fair Play Award for their sportsmanship and conduct throughout the competition. Coach Adama Diefla Diallo's side displayed relentless energy and flair, reflecting the strong tradition of Malian youth football. The tournament showcased the best of African youth football, and Morocco's clean sweep of individual awards was a fitting end to a campaign marked by resilience, structure, and tactical maturity. Award Winners – TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON 2025: 🏆 Player of the Tournament : Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco) 🧤 Best Goalkeeper : Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco ) 👔 Best Coach : Nabil Baha (Morocco) 🕊️ Fair Play Award : Mali ⭐ Man of the Match – Final: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco)
CAF
19-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco crowned TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON champions after dramatic penalty shootout win over Mali
Published: Saturday, 19 April 2025 Morocco were crowned champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history after defeating two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties following a tense goalless draw in Saturday's final at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia. The hosts held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Zakaria Alaoui emerging as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to send the home fans into raptures after a tightly contested final between two of the tournament's most consistent sides. The win ends Morocco's long wait for continental glory at this level, just two years after finishing as runners-up to Senegal. For Mali, it was heartbreak in their fifth final appearance, despite dominating large portions of the match. Stalemate in regular time Neither side managed to find a breakthrough in regulation time, although both had chances in an absorbing tactical contest. Morocco's Ilies Belmokhtar and Ahmed Mouhoub threatened from range while Mali's Seydou Dembélé and Soumaila Fané were lively throughout, but their final efforts lacked precision. Mali thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half through Fané, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up. The North Africans responded by tightening their lines, with central defenders Driss Ait Cheikh and Moncef Zekri repelling Mali's aggressive transitions. Despite late pressure and a string of set-pieces from the West Africans, the deadlock remained unbroken at full-time. Penalty drama seals historic win In the shootout, Morocco converted all four of their spot-kicks with confidence—Ziyad Baha, Zakari El Khalfioui, Amine Ouahabi and Ilies Belmokhtar all finding the net. Mali's Issa Koné and Lamine Keita both saw their efforts saved, handing the title to the jubilant hosts. Coach Nabil Baha, who guided the young Lions with discipline and defensive rigour throughout the tournament, hailed his players' composure. Morocco conceded just one goal in the entire competition. Mali, led by Adama Diefla Diallo, had hoped to secure a third U-17 crown after lifting the trophy in 2015 and 2017. But their dreams were dashed by a well-organised and mentally resilient Moroccan side.
CAF
19-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Cote d'Ivoire edge Burkina Faso on penalties to clinch TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON bronze
Published: Friday, 18 April 2025 Cote d'Ivoire claimed third place at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 5-2 penalty shootout win over Burkina Faso at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday. After a fiercely contested 1-1 draw in regular time, the Young Elephants held their nerve in the shootout, converting all four of their spot kicks while Burkina Faso missed two of their opening three efforts. Burkina Faso had taken a deserved lead in the 28th minute when Halidou Diakité fired home from the centre of the box after a corner caused chaos in the Ivorian defence. The Stallions dominated large spells of the first half, applying pressure through quick transitions and physical duels in midfield. But Cote d'Ivoire regrouped in the second half, inspired by impactful substitutions, and eventually levelled the contest in the 84th minute. Alynho Haïdara, one of the substitutes, turned home from close range after a well-worked move that started on the left flank. The final minutes of normal time were frenetic. Burkina Faso were reduced to 10 men when Prince Ouédraogo was shown a straight red card following a VAR review in the 90th minute. Cote d'Ivoire pressed for a late winner, but the Burkinabe defence held firm, taking the match to penalties. In the shootout, Cote d'Ivoire were flawless. Goals from Haïdara, Souhalio Bamba, Vaboué Doumbia, and Yannis Touali sealed the victory after Burkina Faso's Mikael Coulibaly and Comi Ouattara saw their efforts saved. The result ensures a podium finish for Cote d'Ivoire, who will take heart from their resilience after trailing for most of the match. For Burkina Faso, the defeat was a bitter end to a promising campaign that saw them reach the semi-finals with flair and confidence. Both teams will look back at Morocco 2025 as a valuable learning curve, but it is Cote d'Ivoire who walk away with the bronze medal and a statement of future potential.
CAF
14-04-2025
- Health
- CAF
MRI Impact on youth football in Africa explained by CAF Medical Manager Dr Sidiki
With all eyes set on the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, CAFOnline took some time to have an exclusive sit-down with CAF Medical Manager, Dr Sidiki Boubakary on CAF's use of MRI and how it has helped curb the age-old issue of perceived age cheating in African youth football. CAFOnline: Please explain how MRI technology helps to test age eligibility in boys? Good day, thank you for your important first question. First, CAF MRI Protocol is for eligibilities in U17 boys and not for verification of the age of the players. This protocol is used since several years, prior to each CAF U17 Qualifiers or Final Tournament. An MRI of the left wrist is performed, under the supervision of a CAF MRI Expert. The images are sent to the CAF MRI Reading Panel which is the only entity mandated by CAF Medical Committee to read and give the eligibilities. The role of the CAF MRI Expert is to make sure that the images he is sending to CAF are really belonging to the Players who enter the machine. So, he takes the picture the face of each Player beside his passport, before entering the MRI device of 1.5 tesla. CAF MRI protocol is putting emphasis on the cartilage of the distal extremity of the radius. If it is completely fused, the Player is not eligible to participate in a CAF U17 Competition. Why can it not be used for girls? The CAF MRI Protocol is not applicable for Girls U17 because their cartilage is fused earlier, before the age of seventeen (17). CAF tested every player that will be competing at the TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON. Talk us through this process? As said earlier, every single Player participating in the current TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, has been tested. Before entering the MRI 1.5 tesla magnet and a wrist coil, the CAF MRI Expert took a picture his face beside the passport. In five (5) to ten (10) minutes, the left wrist is positioned either above the head or at the side of the body, the third metacarpal is placed as close as possible to the same axis as the radius, only one sequence T1-weighted spin echo is performed. Images are received on CD and email through WeTransfer, no need for medical report from radiologist, the images are sent to the CAF MRI Reading Committee to read and give the eligibilities to the CAF Medical Department. Then, CAF Tournaments and Events Division is informed, and the respective teams as well. How many players must be deemed ineligible for a team to be disqualified? A per the CAF Executive Committee Decision dated 11th of April 2023, CAF U17 Rules and Regulations have been updated in its Article 27: ARTICLE 27 27.1 For the qualifying phase, an eligibility test will be compulsory performed for all the participating teams before the start of the matches. 27.2 The test will be performed according to CAF Protocol in a health facility duly accredited centre where there is an MRI apparatus (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). 27.3 CAF reserve the right to make the eligibility test (MRI) as well during the final phase for the sixteen teams qualified to the tournament. The cost of the MRI test that will be covered by CAF. 27. 4 If after performing the eligibility test (MRI) for a participating team and four (4) or more of its players are found ineligible, the participating team will be disqualified. 27.5. If after performing an MRI test for a participating team and one (1), two (2) or three (3) of its players are found ineligible, the said player(s) will not be allowed to participate in the competition. The concerned team will be allowed to participate in the competition but is not authorized to replace the ineligible player(s). Have we seen a reduction in the number of players who have been deemed ineligible over the years? Yes, as per the statistics, we move from 7% (2018 / 2019 Edition) of ineligibility to below 1% (2022 / 2023 Edition). What were the peculiar challenges with dealing with this issue in the past? The peculiar changes are now, we never see overage Players playing in U17 category. Now, we are having a truly U17 boys playing among them. And we don't have protest on age cheating prior to the current TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. How much of work has gone into this for as to have this robust system that everyone is appreciating the talent they are witnessing at this level in Morocco? The CAF Medical Committee worked hard in advance and gave advice to Member Associations on the following aspects, through a Medical and Anti-doping letter sent by CAF Medical Unit: THE ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS : · The civil age of less than 17 years on the passport (limit age communicated by CAF). · The CAF classification on Eligibility for U17 through MRI from grade I to V, grade VI is ineligible . · The PCCA (Pre-Competition Cardiac Assessment) any player declared unfit is ineligible . MRI TO BE DONE AT (4) LEVELS: · National: During MRI by respective Associations, CAF is highly encouraging them to request a CAF Expert under Member Association (MA) cost to supervise the MRI according to CAF Protocol. CAF Reading Committee will be available to read the images and provide them with the different grades according to CAF Classification of Eligibilities in U17. · Prior to Zonal Qualifiers in the host country: CAF organizes and supervises MRI for all the Players participating in the tournament, under CAF cost . · Prior to the Final Tournament: in case a Federation engages new Players, CAF is highly encouraging him to request a CAF Expert under MA cost to supervise the MRI done in its chosen place, according to CAF Protocol. CAF Reading Committee will be available to read the images and provide him with the eligibilities (CAF Classification for Eligibility in U17). · In the host country prior to the Final Tournament: CAF organizes and supervises MRI to all the Players participating in the tournament, under CAF cost. Where do we go from here; what more measures are you going to take to ensure an even more flawless process? In Africa, we have our own realities that are different from those of some confederations such as UEFA, for example. To give these young boys the chance to compete with players in the same category as them, we must continue with this MRI protocol. And even provide a protocol for the upstream and downstream categories (U15 and U20) to achieve traceability leading to young and competitive players in senior categories.
CAF
12-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Cote d'Ivoire through to semi-finals at expense of defending champions Senegal
Senegal's hopes of defending their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations were shattered on Friday evening, after they were knocked out of the competition in a tense quarter-final clash against Cote d'Ivoire. Following a highly tactical, but entertaining duel between the two West African nations, it was Cote d'Ivoire who emerged victorious against the defending champions who saw agonisingly saw their title slip out of their hands. As expected, both sides approached the match with caution, opting for a more reserved approach to their usual style of play of quick interchange passing. Matching each other pound for pound, with star players Alynho Haidara of Cote d'Ivoire and Barhama Ndiaye kept queit for most parts of the game. Coming back from the break, the game opened up a bit with both sides looking for the elusive goal. A golden chance presented itself to Vaboue Doumbia in the 87th minute after his attempted low cross almost found the inside of the net with the keeper well beaten. Senegal could have stolen it right at the death after substitute, Ibrahima Sow's effort from close range was cleared off the line. With the score tied at 0-0, it was left to the lottery of penalties to decide the winner, as Cote d'Ivoire emerged 5-3 on penalties.
