Latest news with #TotalEnergiesCAFU-20AFCON
CAF
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
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.
CAF
07-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Rampant Amajita overpower Sierra Leone in convincing Group A victory
South Africa showcased their attacking prowess with a commanding 4-1 win over Sierra Leone in a TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group A tie on Tuesday evening in Ismaila. The match commenced with South Africa asserting early dominance as they looked to grab the early lead. Jody Ahshene opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a precise right-footed shot from outside the box, following a well-timed assist from Shakeel April. Despite Sierra Leone's efforts to respond, the first half concluded with South Africa leading 1-0 who were disciplined in their defense. The second half saw Amajita intensify their offensive efforts. Neo Rapoo doubled the lead on the hour mark, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack initiated by Jody Ahshene. Sierra Leone managed to reduce the deficit in the 69th minute when Momoh Kamara found the back of the net after a cross from Osman Kamara in a goal that brough back confidence to his side. However, South Africa regained control, with substitute Thabang Mahlangu making a significant impact. Mahlangu netted twice in quick succession—first in the 86th minute, assisted by Neo Rapoo, and again in the 89th minute, following a set-piece situation involving Patrick Autata—sealing a comprehensive victory for the South Africans. The victory puts South Africa second behind Seirra Leone who remain top of Group A despite their disappointing loss. TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON action continues on Wednesday with Nigeria taking on Kenya, while Tunisia takes on Morocco, with both matches promising to produce fireworks.
CAF
02-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Hosts Egypt look to get back to winning ways against Zambia
Hosts Egypt will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Zambia in their third TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group A game at the Suez Canal Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 21:00 local time / 18:00 GMT). Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in their pool opener but then lost 4-1 to Sierra Leone. Zambia played to a 0-0 draw with the West Africans in their only game to date. Egypt and Zambia will meet at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON for a third time. Zambia have won both of the sides' previous two meetings. They were in 2007 when Zambia, after losing their first group game against Nigeria, defeated Cameroon in their second game and Egypt in their third group match to progress to semi-finals along with Nigeria. Egypt were eliminated along with Cameroon. The last meeting between the teams came in 2017 in their final group game. Zambia, the tournament hosts, won 3-1 in Lusaka. Zambia are facing a host nation for the third time have lost both their previous games. They lost 3-1 to Ghana in the 1999 semi-finals and 2-1 to Nigeria in their final group game in 1995. EGYPT FACTS · The 4-1 defeat to Sierra Leone was Egypt's heaviest loss against a tournament debutant. · Egypt have now won just one of their last eight group-stage matches at the finals (D3 L4), with that lone win coming against South Africa in their opener. · 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. · Across three tournaments as hosts, Egypt have recorded just one win in seven group games (D3 L3), which came against South Africa in the current finals. · Despite the loss to Sierra Leone, Egypt matched their opponents with seven shots on target. · Egypt have scored in both of their group games at the current finals. In contrast, they failed to score during the group stage in 2023. · The last time Egypt scored in three consecutive group-stage games was in 2013, when they beat Ghana 2-1 and recorded 1-0 wins over Algeria and Benin. · Egypt have lost their third group-stage match in each of the last two tournaments: 3-1 to Zambia in 2017 and 4-0 to Senegal in 2023. · They have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven finals matches, which came in their 1-0 win over South Africa. · In their loss to Sierra Leone, Egypt completed 396 passes. Ahmed Boustenji led the team with 49 accurate passes in that match – the most by any Egyptian player. ZAMBIA FACTS · Zambia started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone, marking the second consecutive finals in which they have drawn their opening match. · They are now winless in their last four tournament games, having drawn one and lost two in 2023. · If they fail to win their next match, Zambia will go winless in their opening two group-stage games for a second straight tournament – in 2023, they drew 1-1 with Benin and lost 2-0 to Gambia. · The 0-0 draw with Sierra Leone was Zambia's first goalless draw in the tournament since 1999, when they also drew 0-0 with Nigeria. Their 18 previous matches at the finals had all featured goals. · Zambia have not won a group-stage match outside their home country in their last seven games across the 2025, 2023, and 2015 editions (D2 L5). · Their last group-stage victory on foreign soil came in 2007, when they beat Egypt 3-0. · Since the competition adopted its current format in 1991, Zambia's record in second group-stage matches is: P8 W4 D1 L3. · Zambia have won their second group-stage match in three of the last five tournaments they've played in, defeating Guinea (1999), Cameroon (2007), and Mali (2017). They lost their second match in 2015 (vs Ghana) and 2023 (vs Gambia). · They have twice scored six goals in a second group-stage game: beating Guinea 6-2 in 1999 and Mali 6-1 in 2017. · Despite having four shots on target in their opener against Sierra Leone, Zambia failed to score.
CAF
02-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Defending champions Senegal held by Resilient Central African Republic
TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations reigning champions Senegal, were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Central African Republic in a closely contested Group C encounter on Friday evening. After a goalless first half despite numerous chances, Senegal finally found the breakthrough in the 49th minute. Cheikh Thiam rose high to meet a pinpoint cross from Yaya Diémé and powered a header into the top left corner, giving the defending champions a deserved lead. Despite enjoying a lion's share of the possession, Senegal failed to capitalise on their momentum and were made to regret after CAR did well to remain resolute. Second half substitute, Diogène Pengazonia latched onto a through ball from Jores Mbaïgoto and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to level the score in the 74th minute to the dismay of the defending champions. Both sides pushed for a winner in the final minutes, but failed to convert late opportunities. Thiam came closest again with a header that was missed narrowly before being substituted late on. The match saw a flurry of substitutions and physical challenges, with four yellow cards handed out, including one to Abdias Yangba of the Central African Republic in the final minute of regulation time. Despite Senegal's dominance in possession and shot attempts, the Central African Republic's resilience and tactical discipline earned them a valuable point against their more fancied opponents. Senegal now turn their attention to their next assignment in a West African duel against Ghana as they look to bounce back and secure a place in the knockout stages. The Central African Republic on the other hand will take confidence from their disciplined display against the defending champions and will look to replicate their performance when they face DR Congo on Monday. TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON action matches are all live on CAF's official YouTube channel, CAF TV.
CAF
30-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 squad lists
Published: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 The following final squad lists are confirmed for the teams competing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025. For more information about the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON, Egypt 2025, visit Further Enquiries: CAF Communications communications@
