Rabat – The debate over age cheating in African youth football has returned, this time after Senegal’s 4-0 win over Morocco in the U15 African Schools Championship semi-final.
Shortly after the match, played on April 9 in Zimbabwe, Moroccan observers and fans began raising concerns.
Their focus was not only on the scoreline, but on the physical differences between the two teams. Many pointed to height, build, and facial maturity, arguing that some Senegalese players looked older than the U15 category.
At the same time, African football journalist and former CAF media expert Collins Okinyo brought the discussion back into focus.
“Age cheating is rampant in CAF age group events like Schools football, supposed to be played by under 15s,” he wrote in an X post.
Age cheating is rampant in CAF age group events like Schools football ⚽️ supposed to be played by under 15″s@soka25east
— Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) April 11, 2026
Lack of strict controls at U15 level
One of the main points raised after the match was the absence of strong medical checks at this level. Unlike U17 competitions, where MRI scans are often used to verify age, the U15 Schools Championship does not always follow the same procedures.
For many observers, it creates a space where doubts can grow, especially when physical differences between players appear significant.
African voices have now called on CAF to step in. Some have even suggested that the case could be taken further, with a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Old concerns return
This is not the first time Senegal’s youth football has faced this type of discussion.
In 2019, reports claimed that several Senegalese players were removed ahead of the FIFA U17 World Cup due to age-related concerns.
At the time, the Senegalese Football Federation denied that FIFA had officially excluded any players. The explanation given was that internal checks were carried out before the final squad was submitted.
Even so, the case stayed in memory, and has now returned to the conversation.
A past statement from former Senegal international Guirane N’Daw has also resurfaced. In 2020, he said, “In Senegal, 99% of players have reduced their age. Like all Senegalese players, I reduced my age to become a professional.”
The focus now shifts to what comes next. Whether CAF decides to open a formal investigation or whether the result stands without further review will shape the next step in this ongoing debate.
Read also: Calls Grow for Players’ Age Investigation After Senegal’s U15 Win Over Morocco
