U17 AFCON: Ten-man Senegal shock Ghana; Mali and Mozambique draw

Ghana suffered a painful 0-1 loss against ten-man Senegal in Group D action from the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U17 AFCON) in Morocco before Mozambique and Mali played to a 1-1 draw to complete Sunday’s action.

🎥 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇬🇭 0-1 🇸🇳

A narrow victory sees Senegal take all three points against Ghana. 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/whwjH3rSy6

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2026

The Black Starlets walked into the fixture from a nervy 2-2 draw against Algeria in the opening game while Senegal gave away a 1-0 lead to lose 1-2 to South Africa.

Ghana had every opportunity to carry the day when Senegal were reduced to ten men but the two-time African champions failed to utilize their numerical superiority.

After several attempts at scoring, the Black Starlets were awarded a penalty but Isaac Barfo disappointingly shot into the hands of keeper Assane Sarr. Both sides failed to find the opener with Senegal reaching into the halftime break with chests high.

Right side. Right guess. Right save. Assane Sarr 🧤🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/zH7ROFPWXP

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2026

Back from recess, Ibrahima Dione’s 57th minute goal from a quick break proved decisive in Rabat as Les Lionceaux secured their first victory of the tournament. The result leaves the Black Starlets bottom of Group D with just a point and facing the real possibility of an early exit from the tournament.

Black Starlets now need victory to avoid early U17 AFCON elimination

They will now need to beat South Africa at all costs in the final Group D game to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stage and a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year in Qatar. In the other group match, Algeria defeated South Africa 2-0 to move top of the standings with four points.

In the final match of the day, Mali came back from an early deficit to draw Mozambique in Group C. Mali, in second place on two points, will need a result in the final matchday against group winners Tanzania who continued their perfect start with a victory over Angola earlier in the day.

The technique. The power. The finish. Youssif Sylla take a bow. 🏹 🇲🇱#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/0fHvyXzdyy

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2026

Mozambique collected their first point of the tournament and will now face Lusophone rivals Angola, also on a point, with both teams needing to win to have any chance of overtaking Mali for a top-2 position and booking a ticket to the U-17 World Cup finals.

Due to their goal today, a draw against Angola would secure a place in the elimination playoff reserved for the third place teams in each group.