Twenty-eight years after their first TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON continental showdown in the final, Morocco and South Africa will meet once again in a repeat of the 1997 final when they clash on Sunday in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title decider in Egypt.
That 1997 encounter ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Morocco, sealing their first and only TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON crown. Now, nearly three decades later, the Young Atlas Lions will be aiming to recapture that historic success, while South Africa are determined to turn the tables and claim their maiden continental title at this level.
Both teams punched their tickets to the final with gritty 1-0 wins in Thursday’s semi-finals.
South Africa saw off Nigeria thanks to a header from Michael Smith, while Morocco overcame tournament hosts Egypt, courtesy of a composed finish from Jones El Abdellaoui.
Led by a confident backline and opportunistic forwards, they carry momentum and the weight of history into Sunday’s clash, Moroccan team deployed defensive solidity and tactical cohesion to knock out other teams during the group stages treble.
South Africa, meanwhile, have grown in strength as the tournament has progressed.
Their victory over a highly-rated Nigerian side was a statement of intent, and coach Vela Khumalo’s charges will be desperate to lift the trophy that narrowly eluded them in 1997, just a year after their seniors lifted the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON on home soil.
With continental glory, pride, and redemption at stake, the final is poised to deliver a captivating battle between two nations with unfinished business on the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON stage.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles & tournament hosts Egypt will battle for 3rd place at the 2025 U20 Africa cup of Nations this Sunday 18 May at 30 June Stadium in Cairo with kick off set for 15:00 GMT.
For Nigeria, the match offers chance to salvage pride after missing out on an 8th continental crown. A win would mark their record 7th bronze medal, having previously finished 3rd in 1979, 1981, 1995, 2009, 2013 and 2023.
This’ll be rematch of their pre tournament friendly where Nigeria edged Egypt 2 – 1 thanks to goals from Kparobo Ariehi & Precious Benjamin.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side’d impressed throughout the tournament , notably eliminating defending champions Senegal , but were undone by missed chances and brilliant South African defensive display.
Substitute Bidemi Amole, Israel Ayuma and Emmanuel Chukwu all came close but the equaliser never came.
Already, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Flying Eagles for qualifying for FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile this year.
”I congratulate our U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, for their terrific run at the AFCON U20 2025 tournament in Egypt and qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year in Chile.
You did Nigeria proud despite tonight’s semi-final loss! Keep your head up.
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 15, 2025
