South Africa and Sierra Leone secure wins

by Staff Reporter

Thursday May 01, 2025. 08:54

Sierra Leone and South Africa each registered their first victories in their second Group A games at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Sierra Leone now top the standings in Group A, while South Africa bagged their first win of this year’s tournament and sit second place, above hosts Egypt on goal difference.

South Africa kept a clean sheet in their second group game for the first time in tournament history, as they secured their first win of the tournament, beating Tanzania 1-0 at the Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday.

It was South Africa who threatened first, with Langelihle Phili’s attempt to beat goalkeeper Ismail Mpank Bombama at the near post saved comfortably.

Tanzania had a chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute through Cyprian Kachwele, but his effort flashed across the face of goal.

Amajita found the back of the net in the 27th minute, as Mogamat Faiz Abrahams played a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Shakeel April, who squeezed the ball through Bombama’s legs to give South Africa the lead.

Both sides enjoyed chances in the second half but could not convert as, April’s goal proved to be enough for Amajita to earn their first victory of their campaign.

They will face group leaders Sierra Leone at the Suez Canal Stadium on Tuesday. Tanzania, who now sit at the bottom of Group A, will look to secure a win at this year’s tournament when they face Sierra Leone on Saturday.

Tournament debutants Sierra Leone battered hosts Egypt 4-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium.

Egypt struck first through captain Ahmed Khaled Gomaa Soliman, who opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, assisted by Mohamed El Sayed Mohamed Abdelaal Ahmed.

However, Sierra Leone drew level in the 63rd minute as Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Khaled Gomaa Soliman couldn’t keep out Momoh Kamara’s long-range effort.

It was one way traffic from there, as Kamara netted again three minutes later and Sallieu Bah made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.

Kamara bagged a hat-trick, finishing off Sierra Leone’s impressive performance in style in the 98th minute.

Sierra Leone will look to keep their unbeaten record alive when they face Tanzania on Saturday and Egypt will look to bounce back when they face Zambia on the same day.