Four players to watch in TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON final - Senegal v Tanzania
With just hours before the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations champions are crowned in Morocco, the tournament has been nothing short of exciting talent on display.
Only two teams remain in the tournament that has since lived up to its high expectations.
The decider will be played in Rabat on Tuesday evening, with defending champions Senegal bracing themselves for a tough encounter against Tanzania who are on the verge of making history of being the first Tanzanian national team to win a TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title.
With the final set to be decided by the finest of margins, CAFOnline looks at four players to look out for ahead of Tuesday’s final that shone the brightest for the two nations enroute to the final.
Dismas Athanasi Shida - Forward - Tanzania
The Tanzanian forward has three goals in the tournament.
He scored an impressive brace in the 3-3 draw against Algeria. His first goal came in the win over Mozambique in the group stage.
What is more incredible is that the attacking midfielder is the youngest player at the tournament at just 14 years old.
Razaki Mbelegendi – Midfielder - Tanzania
Razaki Mbelengendi has a highly promising future for Tanzania. He has two goals that came in the group stage against Mozambique and Angola.
The clever midfielder also produced a cool finish in the penalties against Algeria as Tanzania booked their semifinal spot to face Egypt.
Despite missing the first spot-kick against Egypt, he played a remarkable role in the tie that contributed to the East Africans dragging the match to penalties which they emerged victorious in.
Assane Sarr - Goalkeeper - Senegal:
The goalkeeper has been colossal for Senegal. Bar the own goal he conceded against South Africa, and a wicked deflection, Sarr had a brilliant game worthy of a clean sheet.
The 16-year-old shot-stopper made a match-winning penalty stop in the quarterfinals against Mali to send them to the last four, and he saved three penalties in the dramatic shootout in the semifinals against Morocco.
He’s acrobatic saves and good reading of the game will certainly be vital for the defending champions who are looking at further asserting their dominance on the continent.
Souleymane Commissaire Faye - Forward - Senegal:
Faye may have scored both his goals at the tournament from the penalty spot, but he has been a star man in the number 10 role.
He has been able to create opportunities for his side, and his technical ability has been there for all to see.
Blessed with pace, dribbling and an eye for a pass, Faye gives calm to the Young Lions of Teranga, especially when they are under pressure.