Amajita go all the way while Nigeria claim bronze

by Staff Reporter

Monday May 19, 2025. 11:00

South Africa have won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating Morocco in the final, while Nigeria claimed the bronze medal as they beat hosts Egypt in the third-place playoff.

Egypt came out firing at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium, opening the scoring in the third minute. Captain Ahmed Khaled Gomaa Soliman played in Mahmoud Labib Rateb Labib Hemida behind the Nigeria defence, who made a simple pass for Omar Hassan who slotted it into the open goal.

Nigeria struck back after the break in the 47th minute as Soliman’s pass was intercepted by Divine Uchechukwu Oliseh who squared it for fellow substitute Bidemi Olalekan Amole to level the score.

Nigeria would triumph on penalties as Egypt had two of their penalties saved while Nigeria remained perfect from the spot, winning 4-1.

This was Nigeria’s fifth bronze medal at the U20 AFCON, matching their performance in the tournament’s last edition.

In the final, neither side could break the deadlock until the 70th minute when Amajita goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe Lowe booted it long for Gomolemo Kekana, who took his time at the edge of the area and placed the ball in the top left corner. The goal was originally ruled offside but the decision was overruled by VAR.

One goal proved enough for Amajita to win it all after an impressive defensive performance. Smythe Lowe was named player of the match for his key saves to keep South Africa in the game, while defender Tylon Smith was named Best Player of the tournament.

South Africa took revenge against Morocco for the 1997 final, in which Morocco beat South Africa by the same scoreline, finally getting their hands on the U20 AFCON trophy.

By Nic Gleeson