Last eight compete for continental glory in U20 AFCON

by Staff Reporter

Monday May 12, 2025. 11:00

Quarterfinals action commences in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as all fixtures take place on Monday in Egypt.

There is more than silverware and pride on the line for the eight teams left in the competition, as those who progress to the semi finals will book their place in the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile later this year.

The defending champions Senegal renew their rivalry with Nigeria when the two sides meet at the Suez Canal Stadium. Their last meeting at the competition came in the final in 2023, where Senegal defeated the Flying Eagles to lift the trophy for the first time. When these two nations have met at the U20 Afcon, the winner has gone on to claim tournament glory. Both sides have struggled in front of goal this tournament, only scoring three goals each in group stage play.

Group B winners Morocco will face group A runners up Sierra Leone at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium. While this is the first time that the two nations will face each other in the tournament’s history, Sierra Leone will be Morocco’s 11th West African opponent at the finals. The Lions of the Atlas U20 are undefeated in the tournament thus far, while Sierra Leone will be looking to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat to South Africa in their last group game.

Ghana will have the tough task of facing hosts Egypt at the New Suez Stadium. The hosts squeezed into the knockout stage after defeating Tanzania 1-0 in their final group game, leaving them tied on points with South Africa and Sierra Leone. After starting with a draw, Ghana won their two remaining group games to finish top of the pile in group C. The teams met in the 1991 semi finals when Egypt were hosts of the tournament and won the contest 1-0. The hosts will hope that history repeats itself.

After topping group A, South Africa will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the Suez Canal Stadium in the final quarter final fixture on Monday. While their senior national teams have met at AFCON tournaments, this will be the first match-up between the U20 sides. Amajita began their campaign with a loss to the hosts, but bounced back to finish atop group A. They are attempting to make history and win the competition for the first time. The DRC are appearing in the tournament’s knockout stage for the first time in their third attempt. They have conceded four goals in three games at this year’s finals, but will be hoping for a clean sheet against Amajita.

Fixtures

Nigeria vs Senegal – 2pm CAT

Morocco vs Sierra Leone – 5pm CAT

Ghana vs Egypt – 5pm CAT

South Africa vs Democratic Republic of the Congo – 8pm CAT

By Nic Gleeson