U-20 FOOTBALL
Points to note as Nigeria and South Africa clash for the 4th time in the U20 AFCON
When Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and South Africa’s Amajita meet in a semi-final match for the African title at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismaila on Tuesday, it will be the fourth time both U20 sides have clashed.
In their previous three encounters, Nigeria claimed one victory in open play, South Africa won once on penalties, and the other match ended in a draw.
Their first meeting came in the 2009 third-place playoff, where Nigeria secured a 2-1 win.
George Maluleka opened the scoring for South Africa in the 8th minute, before Ibrahim Rabiu equalised in the 15th minute and Frank Temile netted the winner just before halftime.
In 2019, the teams met twice – once in the group stage and again in the third-place playoff. Both games ended 0-0, with South Africa winning the playoff 5-3 on penalties to take the bronze medal.
By reaching the semi-finals, South Africa have secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, marking their fifth appearance at the global finals.
For Nigeria, the Flying Eagles are almost like the North Star in the sky as they have persistently been qualifying for the World Cup.
This is Nigeria’s 17th appearance in the semi-finals of the African qualifiers. They are aiming for a record-extending 10th final and a first since 2015. They previously reached the final in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2015.
This will be South Africa’s first U-20 World Cup appearance in South America, having previously featured in editions hosted in Asia (Malaysia and South Korea), Africa (Egypt), and Europe (Poland).
After a 1-0 opening defeat to hosts Egypt, South Africa have gone unbeaten in four matches, winning three and drawing one.
That makes them a force to reckon with. Their three wins at this tournament represent their most in open play at a single edition.
While Nigeria are making their 17th appearance in the semi-finals, this is South Africa’s fifth appearance in the semi-finals.
This will be South Africa’s fourth match at the Suez Canal Stadium in this tournament. They have a perfect record at the venue so far, beating Tanzania 1-0, Sierra Leone 4-1, and DR Congo 1-0.
The Nigeria Flying Eagles have conceded just two goals in four matches – the fewest among the semi-finalists – and kept three clean sheets, tied with Egypt for the most, despite having played one fewer game.
Their current streak of nine consecutive semi-final appearances is their best. Their previous best run was six consecutive appearances from 1979 to 1989, during which they won four titles (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989).
Since 2005, in a run of eight straight semi-final appearances, Nigeria have won four and lost four. In the last four semi-finals they won, they went on to win the title three times – in 2005, 2011, and 2015 – finishing runners-up in 2007.
When the tournament has been held in North Africa, Nigeria have always reached the semi-finals.
However, they have managed just three goals en route to the semi-finals – their lowest ever tally to reach this stage. Despite having seven shots on target in their quarter-final against Senegal, they failed to score.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt made five saves against Senegal – his highest in a single game – and has kept three clean sheets, tied for the most with Egypt’s Abdel Monem Tamer and Zambia’s Levison Banda, both of whom have played an extra game.
This is Nigeria’s second match at the Suez Canal Stadium, following their quarter-final win over Senegal. Their three group stage matches were played in Cairo.
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The official draw in Santiago revealed the group-stage opponents for Africa’s four representatives. They are set to compete in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025.
South Africa recently lifted their maiden continental title at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Earlier this month, they were handed a tough challenge in Group E. This followed Thursday night’s draw.
The Amajita will face European powerhouse France. They will also face the USA and New Caledonia. This promises to be one of the tournament’s most intriguing groups.
Elsewhere, Nigeria is Africa’s most experienced nation at this level. They have made 14 appearances. Nigeria landed in Group F alongside Colombia, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
The Flying Eagles will be eyeing a deep run. They aim to recapture the form that has previously taken them to two finals.
North African duo Egypt and Morocco complete the continent’s representation.
Egypt will compete in Group A alongside tournament hosts Chile, Japan and New Zealand.
The Pharaohs will hope to make an early statement against a formidable Chilean side buoyed by home support.
Morocco, meanwhile, find themselves in Group C, drawn against three-time champions Brazil, Mexico, and Spain.
It’s a tough section for the North Africans, who will be banking on the defensive solidity and attacking flair that saw them reach the final of the U-20 AFCON in Cairo.
The 24-team tournament will kick off on 27 September and run until 19 October across four host cities — Santiago, Rancagua, Talca and Valparaiso.
The top two teams from each group and four best third-placed sides will advance to the knockout stage.
African eyes will now turn toward preparations, as the continent’s finest young talents gear up to shine on the global stage.
- Group A: Chile, Egypt, Japan, New Zealand
- Group B: Korea Republic, Panama, Paraguay, Ukraine
- Group C: Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, Spain
- Group D: Argentina, Australia, Cuba, Italy
- Group E: France, New Caledonia, South Africa, USA
- Group F: Colombia, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia
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South Africa’s golden generation of rising stars were handsomely rewarded for their triumph at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, as the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG) announced the official Best XI of the tournament.
Unsurprisingly, newly crowned champions South Africa led the way with four players selected in the tournament’s best team, including standout goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe and playmaker Tylon Smith, who was also named the Best Player of the tournament.
Lowe, who made the most saves (24) during the competition, was instrumental in keeping three clean sheets, including one in the final against Morocco.
His safe hands and calm distribution laid the foundation for South Africa’s historic first U-20 AFCON title.
Midfielder Tylon Smith, who was the playmaker of his team, capped off a stellar campaign by scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Nigeria.
His ability to dictate play and rally his team in pressure moments earned him the Best Player award and a key role in the tournament’s Best XI.
Morocco, runners-up in the final, had four players included in the XI – Othmane Maamma, Hossam Essadak, Hamza Koutoune and Faycal Zahouani – a reflection of their strong, possession-based approach throughout the competition.
Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, was also included, while Egypt’s Mohamed Goweily, Nigeria’s Daniel Bameyi, and South Africa’s Neo Rapoo and Lazola Maku completed the elite lineup.
Coach of the tournament honours went to South Africa’s Raymond Mdaka, whose tactical discipline and faith in youth delivered a maiden continental crown for the Amajita.
Best XI of the Tournament (1-4-2-3-1):
Fletcher Lowe (South Africa)
Neo Rapoo (South Africa)
Mohamed Goweily (Egypt)
Othmane Maamma (Morocco)
Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria)
Lazola Maku (South Africa)
Hossam Essadak (Morocco)
Faycal Zahouani (Morocco)
Hamza Koutoune (Morocco)
Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
Tylon Smith (South Africa)
Best Player: Tylon Smith (South Africa)
Top Scorer: Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone) – 4 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Fletcher Lowe (South Africa)
Best Coach: Raymond Mdaka (South Africa)
Fair Play Award: Morocco
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Nigeria and Egypt meet in the third-place play-off at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, with a clash at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo (18:00 local time / 15:00 GMT).
This will be the sixth meeting between the two nations at the U-20 AFCON finals since 1993.
Nigeria have won three previous encounters, including group stage victories in 2009 (2-0) and 2023 (1-0), as well as the 2005 final (2-0). Egypt’s only win came in the 2013 semi-final, where they triumphed 2-0, while their 2007 group stage clash ended 1-1.
This marks the second time Nigeria face Egypt as tournament hosts, having defeated them 1-0 in the 2023 group stage. It will also be the ninth time Nigeria take on the host nation at the tournament.
Their record in such fixtures is six wins and two losses from eight previous games.
In all eight of those matches, only the winning side has scored, and Nigeria have kept six clean sheets.
They have won their last four matches against host nations, beating Senegal twice in 2015 (group stage and final), and overcoming Niger and Egypt in 2019 and 2023 respectively. This is the fourth straight tournament where Nigeria face the hosts.
Nigeria’s two losses to host nations came in finals: a 1-0 defeat to Ghana in 1999 and a similar scoreline against Congo in 2007.
Their 4-0 win over Tunisia in the 2023 third-place play-off remains the largest margin of victory recorded in this fixture.
The third-place game has gone to penalties on four occasions: in 2003, 2005, 2019, and 2021. Only twice has it ended 0-0 after regulation time – South Africa’s shootout win over Nigeria in 2019 and Gambia’s penalty triumph over Tunisia in 2021.
NIGERIA FACTS
· At the 2025 edition, Nigeria have won only one game in open play – their opening 1-0 victory over Tunisia. They drew their next two group games, 0-0 against Morocco and 2-2 with Kenya.
· Their quarter-final clash against Senegal also ended goalless, with Nigeria advancing via penalties, before losing 1-0 to South Africa in the semi-finals.
· With just three goals scored, this is Nigeria’s lowest goal tally in any U-20 AFCON tournament where they’ve played at least five matches.
· They’ve failed to score in three of five games but have kept three clean sheets and conceded only two goals – the joint-best defensive record alongside Morocco among the semi-finalists.
· Nigeria are contesting their sixth third-place match, having won it four times previously – in 1995, 2009, 2013, and 2023.
· They beat Mali 1-0 and 2-1 in 1995 and 2013, defeated South Africa 2-1 in 2009, and crushed Tunisia 4-0 in 2023. Their only defeat in this game came in 2019, when they lost to South Africa on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
· This is Nigeria’s third consecutive appearance in the third-place match. They have now reached the semi-finals in each of their last eight participations, winning the title in 2005, 2011, and 2015, finishing runners-up in 2007, third in 2009, 2013, and 2023, and fourth in 2019.
· A win would mark Nigeria’s 14th top-three finish, with a record of seven titles, two runner-up finishes, and four third-place results.
EGYPT FACTS
· Egypt arrive at the third-place play-off after losing to Morocco in the semi-finals, having edged Ghana on penalties in the quarter-finals.
· Of the four semi-finalists, Egypt have conceded the most goals – seven in six matches. They’ve kept three clean sheets but allowed three goals across their two knockout games.
· This is Egypt’s fourth appearance in a third-place play-off. They have won all three of their previous matches in this fixture, beating Ethiopia 3-0 in 1993 and 2-0 in 2001, and overcoming Mali 1-0 in 2011.
· Egypt have never conceded a goal in a third-place match and have scored six.
· They are the fifth host nation to play in a third-place game. In the four previous instances, hosts won twice and lost twice. Nigeria beat Mali 1-0 in 1995, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 3-0 in 2001, Burkina Faso lost on penalties to Mali in 2003 after a 1-1 draw, and Benin beat Morocco on spot kicks in 2005 following a 1-1 draw. Egypt’s 3-0 win over Ethiopia in 2001 remains the heaviest defeat for a host in a third-place match.
· Egyptian goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer has made 18 saves, the second-highest total in the tournament behind South Africa’s Fletcher Lowe (24).
· Tamer has also conceded the most goals among all goalkeepers at the finals with seven.
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