Senegal captain Assane Sarr has been named the Best Goalkeeper of the TotalEnergies CAF (U-17 AFCON) Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after playing a pivotal role in his country’s successful title-winning campaign.
The goalkeeper was one of the tournament’s standout performers, delivering a series of impressive displays as Senegal lifted the continental crown for the second time at Under-17 level.
Sarr’s contributions extended far beyond his shot-stopping ability, with the captain providing leadership and composure for a side that repeatedly demonstrated resilience during the competition.
His performances were particularly influential in knockout matches, where Senegal were pushed to their limits on several occasions. The goalkeeper produced crucial saves during open play and emerged as a decisive figure in three separate penalty shootouts, helping keep his team’s title ambitions alive.
The Young Lions of Teranga completed their successful campaign with victory over Tanzania in Tuesday’s final. After the match ended 1-1 in regulation time, Senegal prevailed 4-2 in the penalty shootout to secure the championship.
The triumph further reinforced Senegal’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading producers of young football talent and highlighted the continued strength of the country’s youth development structures.
For Sarr, the award represents recognition of a tournament in which he consistently delivered under pressure. Whether organising his defence, making important interventions or stepping forward in shootouts, the goalkeeper repeatedly rose to the occasion when his team needed him most.
His leadership qualities were also evident throughout the competition. As captain, Sarr helped guide a talented squad through some of the most demanding moments of the tournament, ensuring Senegal remained composed even when facing adversity.
The final provided another example of his importance to the team. With the title hanging in the balance after a closely contested encounter against Tanzania, Sarr once again demonstrated his value by helping Senegal prevail from the penalty spot.
The goalkeeper’s performances were a key factor in Senegal’s unbeaten march to the trophy and earned widespread praise across the tournament.
By claiming both the continental title and the award for best goalkeeper, Sarr leaves Morocco having established himself as one of the standout players of the competition.
His displays throughout the tournament not only helped deliver another major youth title for Senegal but also underlined his potential as one of the country’s most promising young talents for the future.
