Africa awaits TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON 2025 draw as new generation eyes glory
African football's rising stars will discover their paths to continental glory on Sunday when the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 is conducted in Cairo.
The draw, scheduled for 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT), will be broadcast live from the Egyptian Football Association headquarters on CAF TV and ON Time Sports, officially setting the stage for the 17th edition of a tournament that has become a crucial launchpad for many of Africa's brightest football talents.
Running from 27 April to 18 May, the 2025 tournament will bring together 13 teams from across the continent, divided into three groups—one of five teams and two of four.
The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
Host nation Egypt, three-time winners of the tournament, will automatically occupy position A1 in the draw.
Reigning champions Senegal, aiming to defend the title they won in 2023, will be placed in C1, while Nigeria, record seven-time winners and third-place finishers in the last edition, are seeded in B1.
The CAF U-20 AFCON has long served as a springboard to stardom. Past editions have spotlighted players like Mohamed Salah, Andre Ayew, and Victor Osimhen, who all went on to feature at the highest levels of the global game.
This year's draw will therefore be watched keenly—not just for team matchups, but also as a first glimpse of potential future stars.
Tunisia, Zambia, and Central African Republic, who qualified for the 2023 edition, form Pot 1 and will be drawn into positions A2, B2, and C2 respectively.
Pot 2 includes returning heavyweights Ghana and Morocco, alongside Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and DR Congo.
The event also celebrates the presence of Sierra Leone, making their debut in the tournament's history, while Ghana, four-time champions, seek redemption after missing the previous edition.
As the draw unfolds, Africa will be watching closely. With a mix of seasoned contenders and ambitious debutants, the CAF U-20 AFCON, Egypt 2025, promises not just fierce competition, but a showcase of the next wave of African football talent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
10 hours ago
- CAF
African champions Banyana Banyana name provisional squad for TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON title defence
TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holders Banyana Banyana have taken another decisive step in their quest to defend their continental crown, with head coach Dr Desiree Ellis cutting her preliminary squad down to 28 players ahead of next month's showpiece in Morocco. The reigning African champions, who lifted the title in 2022 under Ellis' guidance are looking to cement their dominance on the continent once more. This time, they return to Morocco – the very country where they were crowned – with history and expectation riding on their shoulders. Africa will be watching closely as Banyana begin their final preparations. The trimmed squad will assemble in Johannesburg on 19 June, where 24 players will begin an intensive training camp. They'll be joined later by four overseas-based players still tied to club commitments. Notably absent from the upcoming camp is former CAF Women's Footballer of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana. Hildah Magaia, another key figure in Banyana's historic 2022 run, is still undergoing medical checks and will report to camp once cleared. The final 23-player squad will be announced on 23 June before the team jets off to Oujda, their base during the group stage. South Africa open their Group C campaign against Ghana on 7 July, followed by clashes with Tanzania (11 July) and Mali (14 July). The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024 kicks off on 5 July in Rabat with hosts Morocco facing Zambia in the opener. South Africa Provisional TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2024 Provisional Squad: GOALKEEPERS: Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini, Dineo Magagula, Casey Gordon DEFENDERS: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Shakira O'Malley, Gabriela Salgado, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede, MIDFIELDERS Sibulele Holweni, Linda Mothlalo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Regina Mogolola, Noxolo Cesane, Michelle Sampson, Adrielle Mibe, Kgalebane Mohlakoana FORWARDS: Hildah Magaia, Jermaine Seopesenwe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Bonolo Mokoma, Ronnel Donnely
CAF
15 hours ago
- CAF
CAF launches exciting TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Webinar series on Monday
Published: Monday, 09 June 2025 The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) will on Monday launch the first of three webinars for media titled the 'TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Stars Spotlight'. The series will give media insights from leading players ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 that will be staged from July 5-26. The first session, to be held at 15:00 GMT, will be for French-speaking media and contains a star-studded line-up of players, along with moderator Katty Toure . The following players will take part: Sofia Guellati (Algeria): A centre-back for the Algeria national team and French side EA Guingamp. Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo): The DR Congo goalkeeper lifted the CAF Women's Champions League title with TP Mazembe in 2024. Agueisha Diarra (Mali): A forward for the Mali national team and Paris St-Germain. Safietou Sagna (Senegal): An attacking midfielder for the Senegal national team and US Saint-Malo. Chaima Abbassi (Tunisia): A defender for the Tunisia national team and NEOM, who she helped to the league title in Saudi Arabia this season. Set to take place over three seperate segments, there will also be webinars in Arabic (16 June) and English (23 June). The series will feature some of the continent's leading footballers alongside influential media voices in a compelling, multilingual format. Some of the other international women's football stars who will take part include reigning CAF Women's Footballer of the year Barbra Banda (Zambia), Doha El Madani (Morocco) and Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa). The sessions are designed to highlight Africa's deep reservoir of talent and celebrate the unique stories of players who are driving the women's game forward across the globe. Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
CAF
15 hours ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON - DR Congo: Hervé Happy's Strategic Approach
Hervé Happy is the new head coach of the Leopards Women's team He promotes a three-pronged management style: combining authority, a paternal posture, and active listening He has travelled across Africa and Europe to build a balanced squad When Hervé Happy talks about football, he doesn't just string words together — he builds. Word by word, look by look, connection by connection. The new head coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's women's national team has a name that sounds like a promise, but in his world, neither luck nor euphoria sets the pace. At 47, Happy understands the weight of responsibility. One call from Kinshasa changed everything: a clear and ambitious proposal — to take charge of the DR Congo women's national team just weeks before the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set for July 5–26 in Morocco. The Cameroonian-born coach didn't hesitate. 'It's an honour, but more importantly, it's a mission,' he says calmly — a contrast to the urgency of the moment. Both a field man and an analyst, he's not venturing into unknown territory. As a technical advisor for the French Football Federation, stationed for several years at the Paris League, he led scouting and youth training programs. His method — built on high standards and knowledge-sharing — earned him the respect of the FFF's technical staff. Across Africa, he has also worked with several federations as a consultant and trainer. This dual African-European experience shapes a rare profile. DR Congo hasn't recruited a flashy name; they've chosen a builder. To assemble a solid team for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Happy got to work immediately. He analyzed match footage, launched talent scouting in Europe, conducted an initial training camp in Tanzania, and carried out several scouting missions in Lubumbashi. In a tough group — Morocco, Zambia, Senegal — he isn't looking for excuses, but for solutions. What was your first reaction when FECOFA contacted you to lead the women's national team? Hervé Happy: It's always a great pleasure. Leading a national team is an honour. And in women's football, it's a very interesting challenge. You have to build, mentor, and help players progress. That's what motivates me. How would you describe your management style? I'd say it's hybrid. You have to be authoritative when necessary, hands-on when needed, and sometimes take a more paternal approach. I have two grown daughters, so I understand what it means to be both demanding and attentive. It's about balancing those three styles at the right time. Your first impressions during the Tanzania camp? I already knew the group. I'd seen a lot of the players in Europe, watched many of their games. But it's always better to have them in a training camp, to see them live. That's when you see their attitudes, team spirit, and group dynamics. It's very enriching. What did you tell the players at your first meeting? I told them it's a joy to be here, to play football. First and foremost, football should be a pleasure. Yes, there's a competition, but I want them to approach each session with enthusiasm. This first camp, and the next, are for evaluating everyone. We'll then select 21 players and 3 goalkeepers for the WAFCON. DR Congo is in a tough group with Morocco, Zambia, and Senegal. Your thoughts? If a team qualifies for AFCON, it means they're good. I take every opponent very seriously. Morocco will have home advantage, Zambia is always tough to handle, and Senegal is progressing rapidly. We're preparing one match at a time, with discipline. What are the three core values you want to instil in this group? First, discipline — in behaviour, both on and off the field. Second, humility — always. And third, strong character. You need heart to turn situations around. We saw it with the men's CAF Champions League — often it's the drive that makes the difference. What would you say to a young girl playing football in Kinshasa or Goma? I'd tell her to keep playing! But also to join a club. Football should be about enjoyment first. At that age, we're not talking competition. They need to discover the game and play freely. Let them have fun without pressure. Just last night, we passed by a beach and saw kids playing beach soccer. That kind of spontaneous football teaches a lot too.
