AFCON U20 semi finalists emerge after drama-filled quarter finals

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday May 13, 2025. 11:00

Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa are U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi finalists and have qualified for the U20 FIFA World Cup after winning their quarter finals on Monday.

The four nations have automatically qualified after quarter final victories and will represent the continent in Chile from 27 September to 19 October this year.

The two semi final fixtures will take place on Thursday.

The first quarter final fixture saw Nigeria narrowly advance past Sierra Leone, winning in a penalty shootout. Neither west African nation could break the deadlock after 120 minutes of football, being tied up at 0-0 after extra time.

Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt denied Pierre Antoine Diatta Dorival and Mame Mor Faye from the spot and Ousmane Konaté hit the crossbar while Nigeria converted all three of their attempts to advance to the semis.

Morocco and Sierra Leone were also scoreless after regulation, forcing extra time at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium. Sierra Leone were reduced to 10 men for extra time after Samba Juma Bah received a red card in the 98th minute. This proved to be detrimental for the Shooting Stars as Moroccan pressure resulted in an Amara Nmale Keita own goal in the 115th minute to send Morocco to the next round.

Hosts Egypt played out a thriller against Ghana at the New Suez Stadium. Moamen Sherif Abdel Aziz Shehata Goweily scored twice in the first half to give the hosts a two goal advantage but Aziz Issah pulled one back for Ghana at the end of the half.

Substitute Abdul Hakim Sulemana forced extra time as he converted from the penalty spot in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Aaron Essel was sent off in the 107th minute, but Egypt could not turn their one-man advantage into a goal, sending the game to penalties. Ghana missed their first penalty while the Young Pharaohs remained perfect from the spot, earning themselves a place in the semis.

South Africa advanced past the Democratic Republic of the Congo in dramatic fashion. With the game still goalless after regulation time, substitute Thabang Mahlangu tapped in Shakeel April’s cross in the 109th minute to give Amajita the win in extra time.

South Africa and Nigeria renew their rivalry on Thursday as Amajita face the Flying Eagles at the Suez Canal Stadium, kicking off at 5pm CAT.

Egypt will look to repeat their 1991 U20 AFCON performance and advance to a second home final in the tournament’s history when they face Morocco at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium. Kick-off is at 8pm CAT.

By Nic Gleeson