The U17 World Cup in Qatar is heating up with two exciting matches featuring African teams. On November 18, Morocco faces Mali in a rematch of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations final. Uganda, the tournament’s surprise package, will take on Burkina Faso, who eliminated Germany in the previous round.
A Clash of Titans: Morocco vs Mali
This encounter marks a significant moment for both teams. Morocco’s U17 team, known as the Lionceaux de l’Atlas, previously triumphed over Mali in a tense shootout during the April final of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations. The game ended 0-0, with Morocco winning 4-2 on penalties.
Moroccan coach Nabil Baha is cautious about the upcoming challenge. He noted the importance of the match, stating it differs from their previous encounter. Morocco had a rocky start in this World Cup, suffering defeats against Japan (0-2) and Portugal (0-6). However, they rebounded dramatically by defeating New Caledonia 16-0 and narrowly advancing past the United States in a penalty shootout.
On the other hand, Mali, under coach Adama Diallo, has displayed consistency throughout the tournament. They achieved victories over New Zealand (3-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-1) and eliminated Zambia 3-1 in the round of 16. Key players like Seydou Dembélé and Lamine Keita have been pivotal in their success.
Historic Moment for Uganda and Burkina Faso
Earlier the same day, Uganda takes center stage against Burkina Faso. This marks Uganda’s first-ever advancement to the knockout stage of a FIFA men’s tournament. They earned their spot by defeating Senegal 1-0 after a stirring performance, including a surprise win against France in the group stage.
Brian Ssenyondo’s young Cranes have impressed fans with their solid defense and quick counter-attacks. Burkina Faso, coached by Oscar Barro, arrives with a reputation for giant-killing. After a rough start against the United States (0-1), they rebounded by winning their next two matches against the Czech Republic (2-1) and Tajikistan (2-0). Their most notable achievement came when they eliminated defending champions Germany with a 1-0 victory.
Looking Ahead: Stakes and Ambitions
- Morocco: Aiming for its first quarterfinal berth since 2013.
- Mali: Seeking to qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.
- Uganda: Already celebrating a historic qualification, aiming to make a further mark.
- Burkina Faso: Hoping to confirm their rise in youth football with a quarterfinal appearance.
Both matches promise to be thrilling, with African teams vying for greater glory on the world stage. Regardless of the outcomes, at least two African representatives will advance to the quarterfinals, with future matches against teams like Brazil and France on the horizon.
