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CAF
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Defending champions Senegal face seven-time winners Nigeria in blockbuster clash
Published: Saturday, 10 May 2025 Seven-time champions Nigeria will face defending title holders Senegal in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 on Monday in Ismailia. It is a meeting between two of the most storied sides in the competition's history, but both arrive at this stage with question marks despite their pedigree. Nigeria remain unbeaten after the group stage, but their form has been patchy. The Flying Eagles opened with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisia, then shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Morocco before being held 2-2 by an already eliminated Kenya. That unexpected slip against Kenya—after initially leading—has raised doubts about the team's defensive discipline and focus. Coach Ladan Bosso is expected to rely on the attacking drive of Lawrence Ouma, who scored twice in the group stage, along with the creativity of midfielders like Yusuf Ibrahim to unlock the opposition. However, Nigeria's struggle to maintain control and kill off matches may prove costly against an opponent with Senegal's resilience. Senegal, meanwhile, endured a dramatic path to the last eight. The defending champions were stunned 1-0 by Ghana in their second match after a draw with Central African Republic left them on the brink. But with their title defence hanging by a thread, Les Lionceaux delivered when it mattered—beating DR Congo 2-0 on the final day to progress. It was a match that restored belief in coach Serigne Saliou Dia's men, who had previously gone 13 U20 AFCON games unbeaten before the Ghana defeat. Cheikh Tidiane Thiam, scorer of two goals so far, and Ibrahima Dieng, who netted a penalty in the last group match, remain crucial to Senegal's hopes. This quarter-final is a repeat of the 2015 final, which Nigeria won 1-0 in Dakar. But with both sides still finding their rhythm in Egypt, the game is wide open. Senegal will be hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the U20 AFCON title since Ghana did it in 2011. Nigeria, meanwhile, are chasing an eighth crown and a return to continental dominance after a semi-final exit in 2023. Kick-off is at 12:00 GMT on Monday at the Ismailia Stadium, and it promises to be a tactical chess match between two sides with history, hunger, and heavy expectations.
CAF
03-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Tunisia and Kenya seek first wins at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON
Tunisia and Kenya will face each other for the first time when they meet in a Group B fixture at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cairo on Sunday (kick-off: 18:00 local time / 15:00 GMT). Both teams are desperate for a win after losing their opening matches – Tunisia fell 1-0 to Nigeria, while Kenya were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Morocco. Tunisia's most recent encounter with East African opposition ended in a 4-1 defeat to Uganda in the 2021 semi-finals, marking their heaviest loss in the history of the competition. Kenya, meanwhile, will be facing North African opposition for the second consecutive match, following their 3-2 loss to Morocco in their tournament opener. TUNISIA FACTS · Tunisia began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria. Notably, they have now lost their opening match in the last two editions of the tournament, having also been beaten by Gambia at the start of the 2023 finals. · The Tunisians are winless in their last four matches at the finals, with three consecutive defeats following a draw. They have also failed to score in their last three games and have gone 271 minutes without a goal. Their last goal came in the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament, during a 3-3 draw with Congo, which they eventually won on penalties. · In their last seven matches at the finals, Tunisia have failed to score in five, netting just four goals – three of which came in that dramatic draw against Congo. · Across the 2021, 2023, and current editions of the tournament, Tunisia have recorded only two wins in 13 matches in open play – against Namibia in their second group game in 2021 and against Zambia in their final group game in 2023 (D5 L6). · Historically, Tunisia have never lost their second group game. In 2021, they followed a draw against Burkina Faso with a 2-0 win over Namibia. In 2023, after losing to Gambia, they drew 0-0 with Benin. · In the tournament's current format, Tunisia have never started with two successive losses. The only time they failed to win either of their opening group games was in 2023. KENYA FACTS · Kenya opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Morocco, despite taking the lead in the 16th minute through Lawrence Ouma. · Dating back to their debut match in 1979 against Ethiopia, all three of Kenya's games at the finals have ended with a winner. · Kenya's three tournament matches have produced a total of 11 goals – they have scored four and conceded seven. · In their match against Morocco, Kenya had just 38.4% possession but managed to register seven shots on target. Hassan Beja led the way with three shots on target. · Baron Ochieng had the most touches for Kenya in that match with 50. · Kenya's goalkeeper, Bernard Jairo, faced nine shots on target and made six saves, recording a 66.7% save success rate.
CAF
02-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco fight back to claim dramatic victory over Kenya
Published: Thursday, 01 May 2025 Morocco got their TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025, campaign off to a winning start with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Kenya in Group B on Thursday night at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The North Africans had to come from behind twice before securing the win in a pulsating contest that swung from end to end and showcased the raw intensity of youth football on the continent. Kenya, making their first appearance at the U20 AFCON since 1979, began the match brightly and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Lawrence Ouma rose highest to head home Kevin Injehu's pinpoint free kick, sending the Kenyan bench into wild celebrations. However, Morocco struck back just before the break. A scramble in the box saw Yassir Zabiri pounce with a well-placed finish that was eventually confirmed by VAR after initial doubts over a potential infringement. The equaliser sent the teams into halftime level at 1-1. The second half brought even more drama. Just ten minutes after the restart, Zabiri doubled his tally with a sharp header from close range to give Morocco the lead. But Kenya weren't done yet. Their vibrant forward play paid off in the 71st minute when Hassan Beja rifled in a shot from the centre of the box following clever link-up play with Aldrine Kibet, levelling the scores at 2-2. Morocco, unfazed, kept pressing and reclaimed the lead in the 78th minute. Reda Laalaoui latched onto a clever pass from Saad El Haddad and slotted past the keeper with composure to make it 3-2. There was late drama when Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but Othmane Maamma's effort was saved by Kenyan keeper Baron Ochieng to keep hopes alive. Kenya pushed for a third equaliser and came agonisingly close in stoppage time when Aldrine Kibet's header struck the post. But Morocco held on for three crucial points to go top of the group after Matchday 1. For Kenya, there were plenty of positives to take despite the defeat, particularly in attack where they showed fearlessness and creativity. Morocco, meanwhile, showed composure and experience in key moments and will be confident going into their next match.
