The Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 gets underway today, with hosts Egypt facing South Africa in the tournament’s opening match in Cairo.

The competition, which runs from 27 April to 18 May, brings together 13 nations battling for continental supremacy and four coveted places at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

Egypt head Group A alongside Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania. In today’s other Group A fixture, Zambia will take on tournament debutants Sierra Leone in Ismailia.

Egypt, three-time champions and one of the most successful nations at this level, are eager to reclaim the title they last won in 2013. Coach Osama Nabih believes his young Pharaohs are ready to rise to the occasion.

“Our players are focused and have the desire to achieve an honorable result at the start of the competition. They have a high spirit that was evident in training,” Nabih said at Saturday’s pre-match press conference.

Nabih, a former Egyptian international, also warned that the margins are slim at this level. “African football is developing significantly and there is no big team and another small one. The tournament is difficult, and all levels are close together. Football only believes in giving and effort,” he stressed.

The coach revealed that his technical staff has extensively studied Egypt’s group opponents, acknowledging that every team arrives with ambition and modern tactical approaches.

“We are confident in our players,” Nabih added. “They are well aware of the challenge and determined to honour Egyptian football.”

This year’s U-20 AFCON promises a high level of competition. Record seven-time champions Nigeria headline Group B alongside Morocco, Tunisia and Kenya. Defending champions Senegal open their campaign against Central African Republic in Group C, where they are joined by Ghana and DR Congo.

The tournament boasts a proud history of producing some of Africa’s biggest football stars, including Yaya Touré, Mohamed Salah, Patson Daka, and Benni McCarthy. Many more are expected to announce themselves on the big stage this year.

Beyond continental glory, the four semi-finalists will book their tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, continuing Africa’s proud tradition of producing global stars.

Egypt’s match against South Africa is expected to draw a large crowd in Cairo, with local fans eager to see the next generation of talent. Meanwhile, Zambia will look to assert their pedigree against a spirited Sierra Leone side making their tournament debut.

With history, pride, and World Cup qualification at stake, the stage is set for an unforgettable edition of Africa’s premier youth competition.

-CAF

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Egypt’s Young Pharaohs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in a friendly match in Cairo on Tuesday.

Despite the result, Egypt’s head coach, Osama Nabih, said the match offered valuable insights and experience for his young squad, many of whom played at Cairo International Stadium for the first time.

“We faced a strong and organised team,” Nabih said in comments published by the Egyptian Football Association.

“Our players gained a lot from this match on the technical, tactical, and physical levels.”

Nigeria took an early lead before Egypt’s Ahmed Khaled, known as Kabaka, levelled the score in the 68th minute with a powerful strike.

However, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute and converted it to seal the victory.

Nabih expressed confidence in his team’s development, noting that Egypt had created several scoring opportunities but lacked finishing.

“We controlled the game and had clear chances to win,” he said. “But inexperience cost us at key moments.”

Egypt are hosting the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations from 27 April to 18 May, with matches set to be played in Cairo and other cities.

The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

The Young Pharaohs will begin their campaign against Zambia on 27 April. They were drawn in Group A alongside South Africa, Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.

The Egyptian squad remains in a closed training camp in the New Administrative Capital in preparation for Sunday’s opener.

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Tunisia return to the  CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with fresh ambition and a renewed focus on restoring their status in youth football.

Drawn into a highly competitive Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya, the Carthage Eagles will be banking on their mix of local and Europe-based talent to make a deep run in Egypt 2025.

Coach Mejdi Traoui’s side is targeting a top-four finish and a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year. The team intends to reignite their youth football legacy.

Traoui prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation that encourages creative freedom in the final third, while maintaining defensive discipline through a solid midfield base.

The North African side will feature in the tournament’s 2025 edition in Egypt after gaining entry under unusual circumstances, but they are fully focused on making the most of the chance.

Tunisia have been drawn in Group B, alongside continental heavyweights Nigeria and Morocco, as well as a rapidly improving Kenya side.

Led by former international Mejdi Traoui, Tunisia bring a mix of domestic and European-based talent into the competition, hoping to reach the semi-finals and secure qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year.

Egypt 2025 was anything but straightforward. After finishing third in the UNAF U-20 Championship—behind Egypt and Morocco—they initially missed out on automatic qualification.

However, when Côte d’Ivoire withdrew as hosts of the tournament, a spot opened up, and Tunisia were granted entry. During the UNAF qualifiers, Tunisia recorded victories over Libya and Algeria, but also showed defensive vulnerability, scoring and conceding five goals apiece.

The campaign revealed both their attacking promise and the need for greater consistency.

 This marks Tunisia’s ninth appearance at the U-20 AFCON, with their first dating back to 1979. Their best result came in 1985, when they reached the final but fell short against Nigeria.

In recent years, Tunisia have twice finished in the semi-finals, earning fourth place and subsequently qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their history shows a team capable of competing at the highest level when they find their rhythm.

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