Ouahbi v Mdaka: Meet the tactical masterminds shaping the U20 AFCON 2025 final
As the curtain rises on the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, all eyes will be on the players—but equally pivotal will be the two tacticians on the sidelines.
Morocco's seasoned strategist Mohamed Ouahbi and South Africa's rising coach Raymond Mdaka have been the architects of their sides' impressive journeys to Sunday's title decider in Cairo.
With both teams already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the final offers one last battle for continental supremacy.
Ouahbi brings experience and long-term vision, while Mdaka offers energy and tactical evolution.
Their contrasting paths—one rooted in elite European youth systems, the other shaped within South Africa's domestic setup—are reflected in the identity and style of the teams they command.
With both preferring the 4-2-3-1 formation, fans can expect a chess match between structure and spontaneity.
Mohamed Ouahbi: Morocco's Steady Hand
Appointed in March 2022, 48-year-old Mohamed Ouahbi has steadily rebuilt Morocco's U-20 side, turning them into a compact, hard-to-beat outfit.
The former Anderlecht youth manager spent over a decade shaping young talent in Belgium before taking charge of the Atlas Cubs.
At the current U20 AFCON, Ouahbi's side is unbeaten, winning four of five matches and conceding just one goal.
His emphasis on tactical discipline and controlling the midfield has paid off.
Under his guidance, Morocco have edged out Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, and hosts Egypt. Across five matches, the Atlas Cubs have scored seven goals and conceded just once.
His record of 1.88 points per match over 56 games in charge of the Morocco U20s speaks to his consistency.
Raymond Mdaka: South Africa's Silent Reformer
In contrast, 52-year-old Raymond Mdaka has been in charge for just over a year, having been appointed last year.
Despite limited time, Mdaka has transformed South Africa's U20 side into one of the most exciting attacking teams of the tournament. His side has netted seven goals in six games and kept three clean sheets.
Mdaka's ability to adapt has been key. After an opening loss to Egypt, the Amajita bounced back with wins over Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and DR Congo, before edging past Nigeria in a hard-fought semi-final.
With a win rate of 66.6% at the tournament, Mdaka has led South Africa to their first U20 final since 1997.
With two tactically astute coaches, a wealth of young talent, and the continent's biggest youth prize at stake, Sunday's final promises to be a fitting climax to a thrilling tournament.
Whether it's Ouahbi's structured approach or Mdaka's attacking flair that prevails, both men have already left their mark on this generation of African football.
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