The journey of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations so far has been marked by tales of redemption, revelation, and raw talent.
By Tuka Letura
In a sport that thrives on spectacle and legacy, there’s a certain quiet electricity in youth football tournaments. No champagne celebrations, no $100 million price tags, no limelight-stealing egos, and in most cases, barely filled stadiums. Just dreams being drafted, match by match, pass by pass.
And so it has been with the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, an unheralded but fiercely competitive proving ground that has historically offered glimpses of Africa’s footballing future, while writing both individual and national stories.
With the stage now set for the finals, the journey so far has been marked by tales of redemption, revelation, and raw talent — many of whom are sure to catch the eye of European clubs before the final whistle echoes through Cairo on Sunday.
Like the Lamine Camaras, Taiwo Awoniyis, and André Ayews of this world, many players at this year’s edition of the biennial competition are laying the foundation for their footballing careers.
Let’s take a closer look at the journey so far, the players shaping the conversation, and what Sunday’s showdown means for today, and the next generation of African football.
From the first matchday, it was evident that no team had come merely to make up the numbers. It’s not very often you see age-grade competitions like this begin with so few goals, but that’s exactly what unfolded on opening day.
Mohamed Abdallah’s 62nd-minute strike was the only goal across two fixtures. Zambia and Sierra Leone played out a goalless draw at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia. Later that evening, Egypt edged South Africa 1–0 to wrap up the day’s action for Group A.
Group A
Three teams finished with seven points apiece in the five-team Group A, but it was South Africa who emerged top on goal difference after a frenetic group stage marked by moments of brilliance, grit, and heartbreak in equal measure.
South Africa recovered swiftly from an opening-night loss to Egypt, building momentum with a narrow win over Tanzania before dismantling Sierra Leone 4–1 in arguably the group’s standout performance. Mahlangu’s late double in that match was part of a squad effort that grew in confidence as the games wore on. A 1–1 draw with Zambia on the final day was enough to see them through as group winners.
Sierra Leone’s tournament was a story of volatility, at times thrilling, at others shaky. They produced a stunning 4–1 win over Egypt, powered by a Mohamed Kamara hat-trick, and followed it up with a controlled 1–0 win over Tanzania. But defensive frailties were exposed by South Africa in the penultimate game, forcing them to settle for second despite finishing level on points.
For hosts Egypt, the campaign began with promise — a tight 1–0 victory over South Africa. Yet a lopsided loss to Sierra Leone and a frustrating draw with Zambia left them needing a final-day win and favourable maths. They got both, edging past Tanzania 1–0 and sneaking through on head-to-head calculations, despite finishing with a negative goal difference.
Zambia, meanwhile, remained unbeaten but paid the price for conservatism. Three draws and a last-gasp penalty win over Tanzania left them just short of progression. They will look back at the goalless stalemates, particularly against Egypt and Sierra Leone, as missed opportunities.
Tanzania endured a difficult campaign. Four losses, no goals scored, and a group-low total of four conceded told the story of a side struggling to match the pace and precision of their opponents.
Ultimately, Group A encapsulated the essence of tournament football: fine margins, shifting momentum, and a reminder that survival sometimes trumps style. For Egypt, Sierra Leone, and South Africa, the road continues. For Zambia, it ended in frustration.
Group B
Group B of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations had its fair share of drama, goals, and nail-biters. After three rounds of action at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium, it’s Morocco and Nigeria who have booked their tickets to the knockout stage.
Morocco looked sharp and confident from the get-go. The Atlas Lions kicked things off with a wild 3–2 win over Kenya, then coolly handled Tunisia 3–1, before wrapping things up with a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Nigeria. With two wins and a draw, they finished top of the group on seven points. Organised at the back and lively going forward, Morocco were every bit the tournament contenders they were billed to be.
Nigeria, on the other hand, had to sweat a little more. They started strong with a 1–0 win over Tunisia, Ibrahim’s 38th-minute strike doing the trick, but then hit a bump with two back-to-back draws. A chaotic 2–2 result with Kenya nearly knocking them off course, but thanks to their earlier win, a converted penalty late in the second half by captain Daniel Bameyi, and a solid point against Morocco, they held on to second place with five points.
Tunisia showed flashes of brilliance, especially in their 3–1 win over Kenya, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going. Losses to Nigeria and Morocco proved too much to overcome, and with just three points, their journey came to an end.
Kenya came in with fire and gave Morocco a real scare in their opening match, pushing the group favourites in an exciting 3–2 showdown. They showed flashes of promise and plenty of heart, particularly in the 2–2 draw with Nigeria, which gave them a glimmer of hope and at least earned them a point. That point ended up setting them apart from Tanzania in Group A — the only team to head home without one. Still, despite their effort, Kenya couldn’t quite do enough to make it out of the group stage.
So, Morocco marched on with their heads held high, and Nigeria survived a few close calls to join them. Next stop: the knockout stage — where things are only going to get juicier.
Group C
Group C of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations didn’t bring the fireworks, but it certainly kept us guessing. In the end, Ghana cruised through with quiet confidence, while Senegal had to sweat it out to secure second place, just edging DR Congo on head-to-head.
Ghana weren’t blowing teams away, but they got the job done. After a decent 1–1 draw with DR Congo, they tightened up and grabbed back-to-back 1–0 wins over Senegal and the Central African Republic. Nothing flashy, just solid, no-nonsense football that saw them finish top with seven points and zero losses. Efficient? Very.
Senegal, on the other hand, had a bit of a rollercoaster. A 1–1 opening draw with the Central African Republic was followed by a tough loss to Ghana — things weren’t looking great for the defending champions. But when it came down to it, they showed up big time, beating DR Congo 2–0 to jump into second. That head-to-head win turned out to be their golden ticket.
DR Congo had a good run; a hard-fought draw with Ghana and a convincing win over the Central African Republic, but falling flat against Senegal in their final match nearly cost them dearly. Same points, same goal difference, but that one head-to-head result put them in third place. Luckily, that was enough to see them finish as the best third-placed team and book their place in the quarter-finals.
As for the Central African Republic, they came in swinging with a spirited draw against Senegal but couldn’t keep the momentum going. Losses to DR Congo and Ghana sealed their early exit, and like Kenya and Tanzania, they headed home early.
Quarter-Finals
If the group stage is about endurance, the knockouts are about nerve. And that’s where the drama truly began. It definitely didn’t disappoint; all four games went the distance into extra time, and two of them pushed it all the way to penalties. If anyone thought knockout football would be calm, they’ve clearly not been watching.
Nigeria vs Senegal was cagey from start to finish: 0–0 after 120 minutes, but the real drama came in the shootout. Nigeria kept their cool from the spot, while Senegal cracked under pressure. Two saves from 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, a missed Senegal penalty that struck the post, and a 3–1 result sent the Flying Eagles into the semis, and booked them a spot at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Morocco had a tense night too. Their clash with Sierra Leone looked destined for penalties until Ilias Boumassaoudi popped up in the 116th minute with a goal that gave Morocco the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough.
Then came the wild one: Ghana vs Egypt. Egypt stormed ahead 2–0, but Ghana weren’t done. They clawed back to 2–2 with a dramatic equaliser in the 11th minute of added time. That sent us into extra time, where both teams held their nerve and took it even further to penalties. Egypt eventually nailed all five spot-kicks, and Ghana’s dream ended there.
South Africa and DR Congo battled in a gritty affair that stayed goalless deep into extra time, until substitute, Thabang Mahlangu, popped up with a clutch finish in the dying moments. A 105+4’ winner? Talk about leaving it late.
So, here’s who went through to the semis: Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, all booking tickets to the U-20 World Cup in the process. If this round was anything to go by, the semis were going to be fire. Or were they?
Semi-Finals
As it turned out, the semi-finals leaned more towards caution than chaos. South Africa edged Nigeria 1–0 in Ismailia, with Smith striking in the 66th minute. The match was tense and tactical, with few clear chances, as South Africa’s organisation frustrated the Nigerians, who couldn’t respond. The seven-time U-20 champions will take solace in their World Cup qualification and now aim to up the ante by securing a medal when they face Egypt in the third-place fixture.
Later, Morocco and Egypt served up a similarly tight contest. It took until the 78th minute for El-Abdellaoui to find the breakthrough, handing Morocco a 1–0 win and a place in the final.
It’s all come down to this: Morocco vs South Africa — North Africa versus Southern Africa — in a final that promises tension, discipline, and the occasional flash of brilliance.
If the tournament so far is anything to go by, expect another cagey affair. This has been a competition shaped by tactically conservative coaches, all chasing the title with a “win at all costs” mentality. And the final won’t be any different. Both sides know what’s at stake, and with the high-pressure nature of knockout football, risk-taking will be minimal.
Yes, there’ll be moments of quality, a burst of skill here, a clever pass there, but make no mistake, this will be a battle of wits and resilience. As is often the case in finals, goals may be few and margins razor-thin.
Who wins it? Based on form and sheer grit, South Africa looks the more likely side to edge it. They’ve shown resilience and tactical maturity throughout the tournament, and that just might be the difference when it matters most.
Neither side is a regular in the winner’s circle. South Africa has never won this title, while Morocco’s only CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations crown came back in 1997, and that was on home soil. So, no matter who lifts the trophy, it will be historic. But right now, South Africa looks like the better bet to write their name into it.
Standout Performers: The Tournament’s Breakout Stars
Ebenezer Harcourt (Nigeria)
At just 15 years old, Ebenezer Harcourt has been one of the most exciting discoveries of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria’s teenage goalkeeper didn’t just show up, he stood out.
Across five matches, Harcourt kept three clean sheets and was a massive presence between the sticks. What’s most striking isn’t just the saves—though his two penalty stops in the quarter-final shootout against Senegal were game-changers—it’s how he commands his area. Calm, vocal, and confident, he plays like someone much older, organising his backline and dealing with crosses as if he owns the box.
Unfortunately, a concussion forced him off before the semi-final clash with South Africa, but by then, he’d already shown what he’s made of. Nigeria may have missed out on the final, but Harcourt leaves the tournament as one of its brightest breakout stars, and certainly one to watch for the future.
Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
At 20 years old, Momoh Kamara has firmly stamped his name as Sierra Leone’s standout star, not just at this tournament but arguably in recent national memory. Leading the line with confidence and flair, Kamara was the heartbeat of Sierra Leone’s attack at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Though Sierra Leone bowed out in the quarter-finals after a goalless display against Morocco, Kamara had already done enough to turn heads. All of the team’s goals came in the group stage, four of them scored by Kamara, including a stunning hat-trick against Egypt.
Still the competition’s top scorer heading into the final, Kamara combines raw power, sharp movement, and a striker’s instinct. He’s more than just a poacher; he’s a player in the mould of a modern forward. Currently, he’s on a one-year loan at MLS side, Minnesota United. For Sierra Leone, he’s not just one to watch — he’s one to build around.
Houssam Essadak (Morocco)
Houssam Essadak was one of the standout midfielders at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, playing a key role in Morocco’s run to the final. Operating mainly from central midfield, he combined flair, vision, and technical class, controlling the tempo and constantly looking to unlock opposition defences.
Known for his precise deliveries and long-range shooting, Essadak wasn’t shy about taking responsibility in attacking moments.
While his decision-making and defensive discipline are still evolving, there’s no doubt that Essadak has the tools to go far. With performances like these on a big stage, he’s proven he’s not just one for the future — he’s one for now.
Fletcher Hani Smythe Lowe (South Africa)
Fletcher Hani Smythe Lowe has been a rock at the back for South Africa at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The young shot-stopper has kept four clean sheets in six games, playing a pivotal role in getting his side to the final, and is expected to be between the posts as they chase their first-ever U-20 title.
Despite his age, his time in Portugal’s Estoril Praia youth system has clearly paid off. The exposure to top-level training has sharpened his technique and decision-making, and it shows — not just in his reflexes, but in how he organises his defence and reads the game.
He’s been one of South Africa’s most reliable performers, and if they do go all the way, his gloves will have had a big hand in it.
Thabang Mahlangu (South Africa)
Another exciting talent to watch, Mahlangu has scored three goals for South Africa at this tournament, all coming off the bench. One of those goals was the decisive strike against DR Congo that booked South Africa’s place in the semi-finals.
At just 19 years old, the Supersport United forward has shown a knack for making an impact late in games, offering his side a reliable finisher when it matters most. With his eye for goal and ability to shift momentum, Mahlangu has firmly established himself as one of South Africa’s most promising attacking options in this tournament, both going into the final and for the future.
The climax of the CAF U-20 Nations Cup comes this Sunday, 18 May 2025. First up, Nigeria and Egypt will clash in the third-place match at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, with both sides looking to end on a high after narrow semi-final defeats.
Then, all roads lead to the Cairo International Stadium, where South Africa and Morocco go head-to-head in the grand final.
Beyond the silverware, there’s plenty to watch: the golden boot race still hangs in the balance, with names like Momoh Kamara in contention; individual awards are up for grabs; and scouts across the globe will be tuning in to get one last look at the tournament’s breakout stars.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over six years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.