TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON Final: Morocco, South Africa to lock horns in a 1997 repeat Final
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 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.
Morocco have impressed with their defensive solidity and tactical cohesion, boasting a run of clean sheets in the knockout stages. Led by a confident backline and opportunistic forwards, they carry momentum and the weight of history into Sunday's clash.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
3 days ago
- CAF
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2025™: Morocco to Face Brazil in opening match
The draw for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025™, held on Wednesday in Rabat, set the tone for a highly anticipated edition of the tournament featuring competitive groups and a dazzling, historic opening match between the host nation and Brazil. The African flag will be flown by hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Zambia during the 3-week tournament taking place between 17 October – 8 November. As hosts of this eighth edition, Morocco have not been dealt an easy hand. Drawn into Group A alongside Brazil, Italy, and Costa Rica The opening match, scheduled to take place in Rabat, will see Morocco go head-to-head with a Brazilian side renowned for its strength at youth level. This high-profile fixture will serve as an important benchmark for Morocco, as they gauge how far they've come in their footballing development. Cameroon to Tackle a Formidable Group B Group B presents a stern test for Cameroon, who will face North Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands in a compelling mix of footballing philosophies and playing styles. The Lionesses will need to combine tactical discipline with physical strength to compete effectively. Although Cameroon have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals in this competition, their U-17 side will be hoping to break new ground. Their recent success on the regional stage, particularly within the UNIFFAC zone, offers a solid foundation for optimism. Nigeria Aim to Maintain Their Legacy As one of the most successful African nations at youth level, Nigeria arrive with a proud legacy to uphold. Drawn into Group D, the Super Flamingos will take on France, Canada, and Samoa. It's a challenging group, but well within reach for a team known for its athletic prowess and technical quality. The Nigerian class of 2025 is attracting a lot of attention. With the right momentum, they have the potential to reach the quarterfinals or even further. Their encounter with France could very well be the pivotal fixture of the group. Debut Challenge for Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire will make their tournament debut in Group E, where they'll face Spain, Colombia, and South Korea. The Ivorians will need to demonstrate character and determination to compete at this level. Their match against Spain, the runners-up in the previous edition, will be a formidable test. However, it's not insurmountable. Should the Little Elephants manage to hold off the Spanish onslaught, an upset could be on the cards. Their attacking line known for its speed and unpredictability could be their biggest asset. Zambia Ready to Make a Statement in Group F In Group F, Zambia is set to face Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay. Though less experienced than their opponents, the U-17 Copper Princesses arrive with a clear goal: to surpass the performance of previous African teams at this stage of the tournament. It's a demanding draw, particularly against a Japanese side famed for its collective organisation and fluidity.
CAF
5 days ago
- CAF
COSAFA Cup 2025: The perfect tune-up for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 contenders
The COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa is more than just a regional tournament—it's a crucial preparation platform for eight teams heading to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Southern African national teams are gearing up for another exciting edition of the COSAFA Cup, set to be hosted in Bloemfontein, South Africa between 4 – 15 June. This year's edition carries even more significance for 8 of the 14 participating nations, who will not only be aiming at lifting the regional title, but fine-tuning their squads ahead of two crucial CAF competitions set for later this year. Angola, Botswana, Comoros, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and East African invitational side, Tanzania head to the regional tournament with the aim of strategically using this competition to refine their tactics, assess squad depth, and build momentum this year's TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Of the seven COSAFA nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, only South Africa and Zambia have went on to lift to continental crown, while East African nation, Tanzania are yet to lift the coveted TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title. South Africa, drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe and Mozambique, will be eager to make the most of home advantage. Coach Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana Bafana to an impressive podium finish in Cote d'Ivoire last year has emphasised the importance of squad rotation, and the COSAFA Cup provides the perfect setting to test different combinations. Zimbabwe, returning to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals after missing the last edition, will focus on squad cohesion and tactical discipline. Mozambique, last year's COSAFA Cup bronze medallists, will aim to sharpen their attacking play and defensive organization. Angola, Botswana, and Zambia find themselves in Group D of the COSAFA Cup, making it one of the most competitive pools that will work toward their advantage in their fine-tuning of their squads. Angola, the defending COSAFA champions, will want to ensure their defensive stability matches their offensive prowess. Botswana, eager to make a statement, will focus on improving their attacking efficiency and defensive resilience. Zambia, a former TotalEnergies CAF AFCON champion (2012), has a rich history in the competition and will look to use their experience to gain an edge. Comoros and Tanzania, drawn together in Group C, will also benefit from the COSAFA Cup experience. Comoros, a rising force in African football, will aim to strengthen their squad chemistry and tactical discipline. Tanzania's inclusion in the tournament adds an interesting dynamic, as they are preparing for both the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON and CAF African Nations Championship later in the year. Beyond individual team preparations, the COSAFA Cup serves as a platform for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the final AFCON squads. Coaches will have the chance to experiment with formations, test new combinations, and assess their squad's adaptability under tournament conditions. The intensity of the matches will provide a realistic preview of the challenges awaiting them in Morocco.
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
LIVE: Pyramids v Mamelodi Sundowns (CAF Champions League – Final, 2nd Leg) - Egyptian Football
Ahram Online is providing live coverage for the CAF Champions League final second-leg match between Pyramids and Mamelodi Sundowns. Pyramids vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (1-1) Stay tuned as the match is due to start at 20:00 Cairo time (GMT+2). 17:30 A view of the 30 June stadium a few hours before the final. 16:00 Star winger Mostafa Fathy has recovered from a muscle injury but is not sure to start the game. The only player that remains a doubt is Nigerian winger Sodiq Awujoola. 14:30 Coach Jurcic is confident that his team can win the tie and called the Egyptian fans to support them. 'We will play our usual way, and we call on the Egyptian fans to support us for the sake of football in the country, not just for Pyramids,' he said. 13:00 They Egyptians claimed a 1-1 away draw which gives them an advantage on the away goal rule. 12:00 Pyramids reached their first Champions League final on their second appearance only. The club was renamed in 2019 and six years later is 90 minutes away from African glory. Venue: Air Defense Stadium, Cairo Referee: Omar Artan Check the match preview HERE. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
