…Nigeria’s Flying Eagles win Bronze after thrashing Egypt
South Africa won their maiden TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Sunday night’s final at Cairo International Stadium.
Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning second-half strike proved decisive, as the Southern Africans claimed the trophy and rewrote history by overcoming a North African opponent in the tournament for the first time.
The only goal of the final came in the 70th minute when Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, bending the ball into the top corner.
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The goal, awarded after a VAR review, broke the deadlock in a tense contest dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.
Kekana’s goal capped a superb tournament for South Africa, who had never reached a U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco.
This time, they flipped the script, avenging that defeat to lift the trophy and become the 12th different nation to win the title.
Both sides entered the final unbeaten, boasting some of the tournament’s best defensive records.
Morocco, the more fluid side in the first half, created better chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was once again in inspired form.
South Africa, who had grown into the competition after losing their opener to Egypt, showed resilience and patience. Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had half chances, but neither side managed to find the net before the break.
The second half opened up with Morocco pushing forward, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal coming close.
However, the North Africans were wasteful in front of goal, and South Africa’s high pressing eventually paid dividends.
After Kekana’s wonder goal, South Africa soaked up pressure with commendable discipline. Morocco threw men forward in search of an equaliser, but South Africa’s backline led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba held firm.
South Africa’s victory marks their first-ever youth continental triumph and adds them to a growing list of recent debut winners, following Senegal’s 2023 success.
It also broke their jinx against North African opposition, ending a run of five previous defeats all by a single goal margin.
Fletcher Lowe ended the tournament with the most saves (24), underlining South Africa’s defensive resolve.
Kekana’s goal was only their ninth of the campaign, but every strike proved crucial as they edged past DR Congo, Nigeria and now Morocco in the knockout rounds.
For Morocco, the defeat marks a missed opportunity to win a second title. They came into the final unbeaten in 14 U-20 AFCON matches in open play, but Sunday’s loss their first defeat of the tournament was a bitter blow.
Despite impressive performances throughout the tournament, their wait for a second crown continues.
Nigeria win Bronze after beating Egypt
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured third place at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 with a dramatic 4-1 victory in a penalty shootout against tournament hosts, Egypt, on Sunday.
The third-place clash, held at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, ended 1-1 after regulation time.
With no extra time in the playoff fixture, the match was decided on penalties, where the Flying Eagles showed composure to claim their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.
Both teams were eager to finish the tournament on a high note after falling short of a place in the final.
Egypt got off to a blistering start, taking the lead just three minutes in when Osama Omar pounced on a cut-back from Mahmoud Labib to fire home from close range.
Despite the early setback, Nigeria found their rhythm and began dominating possession.
They created several opportunities, with Clinton Jephta and Precious Benjamin forcing saves from Egyptian goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer, while Israel Ayuma’s long-range efforts narrowly missed the target.
Nigeria’s persistence paid off shortly after the break.
A well-weighted through ball from Divine Oliseh sliced open Egypt’s defence and found Bidemi Amole, who calmly slotted in the equaliser in the 47th minute.
The Flying Eagles continued to press for a winner, injecting fresh energy with the introduction of Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi.
Egypt, however, nearly snatched victory in added time, with Mohamed El Sayed rattling the crossbar and Mohamed Haitham striking the post in a tense finale.
With the scoreline unchanged after 90 minutes, the match headed straight to penalties.
Nigeria were flawless from the spot, converting all four of their kicks through Emmanuel Chukwu, Ayuma, Arierhi, and Maigana.
Egypt faltered under pressure, with Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka both denied by Nigeria’s 15-year-old goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt, who delivered a heroic performance beyond his years.
The victory not only secured Nigeria’s 14th podium finish in U-20 AFCON history but also extended their strong record against host nations in the tournament, having beaten Egypt on home soil for the second consecutive edition.
