Mali ended Burkina Faso’s 100% record at the 2025 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after a commanding 2-0 win in the semi-finals on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The Young Stallions were the best team in the tournament so far but were let down by goals from Soumaila Fane and Mahamadou Toure.
The Burkinabe’s misery was compounded by Ali Kone and Alassana Bagayogo receiving their marching orders for two bookable offences in the 77th and 90th minute.
The Malians are now back in the Under-17 AFCON final for the first time since 2017 when they won back-to-back titles.
The West Africans will face hosts Morocco in the final on Saturday after the North Africans defeated Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes in the other semi-final.
The Young Atlas Lions will be going for the first-ever title while the Young Elephants will be targeting their second after winning the first in 2013.
And then there were TWO.
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/zgyWGGyhke
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 15, 2025
Meanwhile, the third/fourth place playoff is an all West African affair between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast and will take place on Friday.
