فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Cairo, May 19, 2025 – The South African U20 national team was crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations U20 after securing a thrilling 1-0 victory over the young Moroccan team in the final match held on Sunday evening in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Thus, the young “Bafana Bafana” claimed the deserved continental title after a strong and intense game.
The match saw great intensity and enthusiasm from the opening whistle, with both teams exchanging attacks and each attempting to impose their style of play. Despite repeated attacking efforts from both sides, solid defending and alert goalkeepers ensured no goals were scored in the first half, which ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, play continued end-to-end with a slight edge in possession for South Africa. Meanwhile, the “Atlas Cubs” relied on tactical discipline and attempting to exploit quick counter-attacks, but the final touch and attacking efficiency were missing from the chances they created.
The only goal of the match came in the 70th minute for South Africa through player Levi Kekana. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but the referee consulted the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which confirmed the goal’s validity. It was then officially counted, giving the young “Bafana Bafana” the lead.
The Moroccan team attempted to find an equalizer in the remaining minutes, but the organized South African defense successfully maintained their clean sheet until the end, prompting the referee to blow the final whistle and declare South Africa the champions.
The young Moroccan team leaves this tournament with their heads held high after a strong and promising journey. The young “Atlas Lions” successfully navigated the group stage, defeating Kenya and Tunisia and drawing with Nigeria. In the knockout rounds, they demonstrated strength and determination by eliminating Sierra Leone in the quarter-finals and the host nation Egypt in the semi-finals, both by a 1-0 scoreline, confirming their merit in reaching the final stage.
In the third-place playoff match that preceded the final, the teams of Egypt and Nigeria drew 1-1 before the Nigerian team secured third place and the bronze medal by winning the penalty shootouts.
Despite the loss in the final, the young Moroccan team delivered a respectable performance and showcased high levels throughout the tournament, which bodes well for the future of this elite group of players.
