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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Five breakout stars from the U20 AFCON
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. The Africa U20 Cup ended with South Africa's victory over Morocco. Focus on the notable identities of a memorable competition. Last line of defence. First on the radar. 👀Fletcher Lowe: a keeper to watch. 🇿🇦@football2gether | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2025 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. Ayman Arguigue: Morocco's reliable 9. 🇲🇦 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2025 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁. 🇳🇬Ebenezer Harcourt: born for the gloves. 🧤#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 16, 2025 He sets the rhythm. He leads the charge. 😮💨The Young Pharaohs Captain: Ahmed Kabaka. 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 16, 2025 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. 𝗛𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀. 🎯Goals or assists? 👀Shakeel April does both. 🤩🇿🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2025 Also read: - The 5 revelations of the Africa U17 Cup 📸 MOHAMED TAGELDIN
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Knowing but not doing - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly
Knowing victory would have sealed qualification was not good enough for Egypt Hosts Egypt could muster only a goalless draw against Zambia in their third Group A match at the TotalEnergies Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night. Victory would have ensured that Egypt progress to the knockout stage but that stage, should Egypt get there, will have to wait until the verdict comes out when Egypt next face Tanzania in their final group match tomorrow (Friday 9 May). Egypt entered the match against Zambia having beaten South Africa 1-0, then were mauled by Sierra Leone 4-1 in their previous Group A encounter. According to cafonline, Egypt came closest to breaking the deadlock against Zambia in the Egyptian city of Ismailia in the 67th minute when Ahmed Kabaka rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot from range. Moments later, Mohamed Zaalouk fired just wide from close range. Zambia, for their part, carved out chances of their own. David Simukonda and Joseph Sabobo were particularly threatening, with Simukonda skying a golden opportunity in stoppage time after being played through on goal. In the first half Mohamed Abdullah of Egypt tested Zambia keeper Leevison Banda with a well-struck effort in the 11th minute. Joseph Sabobo responded for Zambia, dragging a shot just wide midway through the opening period. Egypt, added cafonline, introduced fresh legs in the second half in a bid to find the breakthrough. But Zambia remained organised and resolute at the back, with Charles Buyoya and Happy Nsiku standing tall under mounting pressure. Saturday's draw against Zambia leaves Egypt second in the group with four points after three games, while Sierra Leone top the standings with seven points, also after three matches. South Africa sit third with three points from two games. Zambia, who have played twice, remain in fourth with two points from two goalless draws. Tanzania languish at the bottom without a point after two games. It should be noted that there is more than one peculiarity in the tournament's set-up. It is comprised of 13 teams, with the odd number literally being odd. Group A is composed of five teams while groups B and C have only four teams each. Not only is that format strange as well, but it gives the groups certain advantages and disadvantages. The extra game that Group A teams have gives a country like Egypt, which was humiliated by Sierra Leone, a better chance at recovery. It is an extra opportunity that the four-team groups do not enjoy. On the other hand, however, in the group stage, the teams in Group A must play an extra game which leads to more wear and tear than the other group teams that need play only three games each. Already, as of writing, Egypt have played three games in the group stage while countries like Group C's Senegal, the defending champions, have played only once. The top two teams in each group will make it to the round of eight, plus the next best two teams who finish third. Because of more points accumulated, the third team in Group A is almost a shoo-in to reach the last eight. The 4-1 defeat to Sierra Leone was Egypt's heaviest loss against a tournament debutant. Egypt were ahead 1-0 at the half, Ahmed Khaled opening the scoring for the young Pharaohs in first-half stoppage time, but that was followed by a Sierra Leone blitz which began with a seemingly innocuous shot - low, not particularly strong and in the middle of the goal - that was horrendously botched by the keeper Ahmed Abdine. Momoh Kamara netted a hat-trick in all and Sallieu Bah added a penalty to seal a memorable comeback for Sierra Leone. This is the second consecutive tournament in which Egypt, as hosts, have conceded four goals in a match. In 2023, they lost 4-0 to Senegal in their final group game. The defeat, coming on home turf, was so stunning that Egypt's coach Osama Nabih was forced to apologise. 'The result is harsh and disappointing, and we apologise for it,' Nabih said. 'We definitely managed to reach Sierra Leone's goal many times — we had four shots, and they only had one, which was a penalty kick. 'The players are young and haven't faced this kind of pressure before, especially since we exerted great effort against South Africa. Sometimes football punishes you. 'We will prepare for the next match against Zambia and aim to make up for this result.' That didn't happen. Egypt have now won just one of their last eight group-stage matches at the U-20 African finals, with that lone win coming against South Africa in their opener. Across three tournaments as hosts, Egypt have recorded just one win in seven group games which again came against South Africa in the current finals. * A version of this article appears in print in the 8 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CAF
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Egypt held by Zambia as Group A remains wide open at U20 AFCON
Published: Saturday, 03 May 2025 Hosts Egypt were left frustrated as they were held to a goalless draw by Zambia in their second Group A match at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 on Saturday night in Ismailia. The result sees Egypt move to four points from two games, following their earlier win over South Africa and a heavy defeat to Sierra Leone. Zambia, meanwhile, have now played out consecutive goalless draws in the tournament, having also been held by Sierra Leone in their opener. Despite the lack of goals, the match provided plenty of drama and attacking intent from both sides. Egypt came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 67th minute when Ahmed Kabaka rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot from range. Moments later, Mohamed Zaalouk fired just wide from close range, as the hosts ramped up the pressure. Zambia, for their part, carved out chances of their own. David Simukonda and Joseph Sabobo were particularly threatening, with Simukonda skying a golden opportunity in stoppage time after being played through on goal. The first half had seen both teams go toe-to-toe, with Mohamed Abdallah of Egypt testing Zambia keeper Leevison Banda with a well-struck effort in the 11th minute. Joseph Sabobo responded for Zambia, dragging a shot just wide midway through the opening period. Egypt, knowing victory would have sealed qualification, introduced fresh legs in the second half in a bid to find the breakthrough. But Zambia remained organised and resolute at the back, with Charles Buyoya and Happy Nsiku standing tall under mounting pressure. The result means Sierra Leone remain top of Group A with six points after their earlier 1-0 win over Tanzania, while Egypt sit second. Zambia stay in the hunt with two points and will go into their final group game needing a win to secure a knockout berth. Egypt, meanwhile, will have to avoid defeat in their final group match to progress and ease growing pressure from home supporters, who were hoping for a strong statement after the humiliating loss to debutants Sierra Leone.
CAF
30-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Egypt tackle debutants Sierra Leone in second Group A encounter
Published: Tuesday, 29 April 2025 Hosts Egypt will look to record a second win at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Egypt 2025 when they take on Sierra Leone in Group A at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Wednesday (kick-off 21:00 local time / 18:00 GMT). Egypt won their opener 1-0 against South Africa on Sunday, while debutants Sierra Leone drew 0-0 with Zambia. Egypt's last game against a tournament debutant was in the 2005 semi-finals versus Benin. The game ended 1-1 before they won on penalties. Prior to that they drew 0-0 in the group stages against Senegal. Overall Egypt's record, including games over two legs, against tournament debutants going back to 1979 reads P10 W3 D4 L3. EGYPT FACTS · Egypt had failed to win their opening game at the last two finals. They drew 0-0 with Mali and Mozambique in 2017 and 2023. · Egypt won their opening game for the first time since the 2013 when they Ghana 2-1 in 2013. · Egypt's win over South Africa saw them end a run of seven games at the finals without a win in open play (D5 L2). · Their win over South Africa was Egypt's first win in open play at the finals since a 2-0 triumph over Nigeria in the 2013 semi-finals. · Egypt's win over South Africa saw them end a run of six group games with out a win (D4 L2). It was their first group stage win since a 1-0 triumph over Benin in their final group game in 2013. · Victory for Egypt will see them win their opening two group games for the first time since 2013 when they won 2-1 against Ghana and followed it up with a 1-0 win over Algeria. · Egypt have failed to win their last four group games against West African teams at the finals. They lost to Nigeria and Senegal in 2023. Prior to that they drew Mali and Ghana in 2017. · Egypt's last group stage win against West African opponents was a 1-0 triumph over Benin in their final group game in 2013. · Egypt completed just 229 passes in their opening game win against South Africa. Ahmed Kabaka managed to complete 49, the most in their team in the game. SIERRA LEONE FACTS · Sierra Leone their opening game against Zambia 0-0, their first at the finals. · They managed to complete 288 passes against but Sierra Leone will be looking to open their goal scoring account in this game. · Nathaniel Jalloh was fouled seven times in their game against Zambia, the most fouled player in the game. · Jalloh was also involved in 19 duels in the game and won 13, more than any other player. · Amara Keita lost possession 26 times in the game against Zambia, no player lost possession on as many occasions as he did. · Alpha Turay made five clearances against Zambia, the most by a Sierre Leone player in the game, and the joint most in the match.
CAF
27-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Egypt U-20 Profile: Young Pharaohs ready to roar on home soil
Host nation Egypt will head into the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 as one of the tournament favourites, buoyed by a passionate home crowd and a legacy of youth football excellence. Drawn into Group A alongside Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania, the Young Pharaohs will be aiming to make a strong statement on home soil as they pursue a fifth continental crown. Despite securing the right to host the tournament following Côte d'Ivoire's withdrawal, Egypt had already booked its place the hard way—on the pitch. This year's edition marks Egypt's 14th appearance at the U-20 AFCON, a competition they have won four times (1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013). Only Nigeria, with seven titles, boasts a better record. Below is the full profile of the Egypt U20 team: EGYPT After resuming the organisation of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON after the last-minute withdrawal of Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt will approach the competition as favourites. They share Pool A with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania. The country of the Pharaohs will be able to rely not only on its talents but also on the support of the public to try to do well. HOW THEY QUALIFIED Even before winning the status of host country at the very last minute, Egypt had already negotiated its qualification on the field, at the end of the UNAF zone qualifiers that it hosted from November 14 to 26, 2024. The young Pharaohs had snatched one of the two tickets at stake by finishing in second place, behind Morocco. HISTORY IN THE TOTALENERGIES CAF U-20 AFCON This year, Egypt will honour its fourteenth participation in the Junior Africa Cup of Nations. The country has one of the best records in the tournament with four trophies won (1881, 1991, 2003 and 2013). Only Nigeria, the record holder with 7 trophies won in this tournament, has done better. The country has also played in eight editions of the Junior World Cup, finishing third in 2001. KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH Ahmed Kabaka – Ahmed Khaled Gomaa Soliman aka Ahmed Kabaka will be one of the Egyptian players to watch during this tournament that his country is hosting from April 27 to May 18, 2025. The 19-year-old on loan from Al Ahly to Future FC was joint top scorer in the UNAF qualifiers with two goals. He is a midfielder with overflowing technical qualities who plays a valuable role in the organization of the Egyptian game. Very present in the animation, he can also be found at the conclusion of actions, as illustrated by his two goals at the last UNAF tournament. Mohamed Zaalouk – Al Ahly striker, also on loan to Future FC, Mohamed Zaalouk represents an impressive attacking asset for the Egyptian national team. His technical qualities and efficiency in front of goal will be crucial for Egypt in their quest for a fifth African title. Mohamed Zaalouk scored for Egypt against Algeria on the second day of the UNAF tournament. COACH AND TACTICAL APPROACH Osama Nabih took over the reins of the Egyptian national team after the resignation of Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale who qualified the Young Pharaohs last November. The 50-year-old technician, former Zamalek player and winner of the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations is a rigorous tactician. If he likes to see his team play well, he also knows how to provide the tactical response against a solid opponent. TOURNAMENT AMBITIONS AND GROUP ANALYSIS As the host country, Egypt will be a tough opponent to play against. In addition to the qualities recognized to the team, it should also rely on the law of domicile to maximize its chances and get results.
