U-17 AFCON: Serengeti Boys arrive in Morocco ahead of finals

The Tanzania U-17 national team, popularly known as the Serengeti Boys, have safely arrived in Morocco as they gear up for their fourth appearance at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON).

 

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The tournament is set to kick off on May 13, with hosts Morocco facing Tunisia in the opening match. Tanzania will begin their campaign a day later, on May 14, with a Group C clash against Mozambique. The Serengeti Boys will then take on Angola on May 17 before wrapping up their group stage fixtures against last year’s runners up Mali on May 20.

This marks another significant milestone for Tanzania’s youth football development, as the team returns to the continental stage following previous appearances in 2017, 2019, and 2025, where they were eliminated at the group stage on each occasion.

The 2026 edition presents a fresh opportunity for the Serengeti Boys to improve on their past performances and potentially secure a historic progression to the knockout rounds.

All matches in the tournament except the opening game, semi-finals, and the final will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco. The centralized venue approach is aimed at creating a vibrant and cohesive tournament atmosphere, while also enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining high standards of match organization.

Additionally, it is expected to contribute to long term player development by ensuring consistency across multiple editions of the competition.

Group C lies ahead in Serengeti Boys’ U-17 AFCON adventure

The final draw, conducted earlier this month, produced a highly competitive group stage lineup. The CECAFA representatives have been placed in Group C alongside Mali, Angola, and Mozambique, making it one of the tightly contested groups in the tournament.

 

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Group A features hosts and defending champions Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. In Group B, former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are joined by Uganda and debutants DR Congo. Meanwhile, Group D includes Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, and two-time winners Ghana.

The stakes are high, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter finals. Notably, all eight quarter finalists will automatically qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. Teams finishing third in their respective groups will have a second chance through play-off matches to determine the final two qualification spots.

A total of ten African nations will represent the continent at the global showpiece in Qatar later this year, adding further motivation for the Serengeti Boys as they seek to make history.

With preparations complete and spirits high, they will be aiming to make a strong statement in Morocco and showcase the growing potential of its young football talent on the continental stage.