Egypt national under-17 football team were held to a goalless draw by Ethiopia national under-17 football team in the opening match of the 2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday in Morocco.
The Group A encounter took place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, where both teams began their tournament campaigns cautiously and ultimately settled for a single point each after a tightly contested match.
Despite several attempts from both sides, neither team managed to break the deadlock during the 90 minutes, leaving the competition’s opening fixture without a goal.
Egypt entered the tournament aiming to make a strong start in a difficult group that also includes hosts Morocco national under-17 football team and Tunisia national under-17 football team.
However, the young Pharaohs struggled to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities against an organised Ethiopian side determined to avoid defeat in their opening match.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, produced a disciplined defensive performance and succeeded in frustrating their North African opponents throughout the contest.
The result leaves both teams level on one point after the first round of Group A matches, with attention now turning to the next fixtures that could prove decisive in the battle for qualification to the knockout stages.
Egypt will next face Tunisia on 16 May before taking on hosts Morocco three days later in what is expected to be one of the group’s most difficult matches.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, are set to meet Morocco in their second group game before concluding the opening phase against Tunisia.
The CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations continues to serve as one of the continent’s most important youth tournaments, providing emerging African talents with an opportunity to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
This year’s edition in Morocco has attracted significant attention, with several nations hoping to establish themselves among Africa’s leading youth football programmes ahead of future international competitions.
While neither Egypt nor Ethiopia managed to secure victory in the opening fixture, both sides remain firmly in contention as the group stage progresses.
The draw also increases the importance of the upcoming matches, particularly with Morocco and Tunisia still to enter the Group A race.
For Egypt, improvements in attacking efficiency may now become a priority as they seek to strengthen their chances of advancing beyond the group stage.
Ethiopia, on the other hand, will take encouragement from a disciplined display that earned them a valuable point against one of the competition’s traditionally stronger football nations.
With the tournament only just beginning, both teams will now hope to build on their opening performances as the race for qualification intensifies in Morocco.
