North African teams, Morocco and Egypt will face each other in the final of the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Nations after victories in the semi final on Tuesday.
The young Atlas Lions played out a 1-1 draw with Mali before settling for a 2-2 draw after extra time, taking the game into penalties.
Zakaria El Ouahdi opened the scoring for Morocco in the 14th minites before Mamady Diambou equalised for the West African side in the 66th minute to take the match into extra time.
Amani El Ouazzani restored Morocco’s lead in the 108th minute but Isoufi Maiga took the game into penalties with his equaliser four minutes before the end of the extra time.
Morocco emerged victorious 4-3 on penalties after Boubacar Traore and Ahmed Diomande missed their spot kicks for Mali.
Meanwhile, Egypt edged Guinea 1-0 in the other semi final game thanks to Mohamed Shehata’s eight minute goal.
Egypt and Morocco by virtue of getting to the final have reach Paris 2024 men’s football competition of the Olympics.