The Pharaohs, hosts of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025, made a winning start with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Africa at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening.
Playing at home, the young Pharaohs were determined to make a strong start, and they did, when they displayed their best, promising their supporters a powerful beginning.
The Pharaohs are chasing a fifth U-20 continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1981, 1991, 2003 and 2013.
The match, played following an impressive opening ceremony, was the second fixture of Group A, following a goalless draw between Zambia and Sierra Leone earlier in the day. It was Mohamed Abdallah who opened the score for the hosts, netting the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, making him the team’s hero. Abdallah was named Man of the Match and donated his prize to his mother and sister.
While Egypt dominated possession earlier in the game, South Africa grew into the challenge and almost came close to breaking the deadlock when Mfundo Vilakazi hit the post from long range inside the opening 10 minutes. The South Africans created several chances but were repeatedly denied by the Egyptian defence and goalkeeper. Gopolang Taunyana’s late header nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser but it was denied by the Egyptians who maintained their composure.
The Egyptians suffered several injury setbacks during the game, with three substitutions made in the first half alone. Yet, they continued their tactical discipline until the end, thus earning their first three points.
The result leaves Egypt top of Group A after the opening round of matches. They will next face Sierra Leone on 30 April, after Al-Ahram Weekly went to press, while South Africa are to take on Tanzania in their second group game.
The 18th edition of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations is promising three weeks of thrilling football action from the continent’s rising stars.
Running from 27 April to 18 May, this prestigious youth tournament not only crowns the champions of Africa at the U-20 level but also serves as a direct qualification route to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile this year, with four coveted spots available.
Egypt, four-time U-20 continental champions, were confirmed as the replacement host after Côte d’Ivoire withdrew earlier this year.
The matches are being staged across three cities, Cairo, Ismailia and Suez, making use of four major stadiums: Cairo International Stadium (capacity 75,000); 30 June Stadium, Cairo (capacity 30,000); Suez Canal Stadium, Ismailia (capacity 22,000); and Suez Stadium, Suez (capacity 27,000).
According to CAF, Egypt have a strong record of organising major continental tournaments and are expected to deliver yet another successful event after hosting the senior AFCON in 2019 and the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations the same year. The tournament’s format and group stage will see 13 teams divided into three groups — one of five teams (Group A) and two of four teams (Groups B and C).
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals. From there, a traditional knockout system will follow. All group stage matches are played in a round-robin format, with three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. In the event of tied points, head-to-head results, goal difference, goals scored, and ultimately the drawing of lots may come into play to determine rankings.
In addition to lifting the continental title, the stakes are incredibly high as the four semi-finalists will earn automatic qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
The qualification battle in Egypt promises to be fierce as the tournament features a blend of seasoned campaigners and exciting debutants. Notable qualifiers include Senegal, the reigning champions and favourites to retain their crown; Nigeria, a record seven-time winners at this level, thus boasting a rich history; hosts Egypt the four-time U-20 AFCON winners, eager for another home success; Ghana, the four-time champions aiming to reclaim continental dominance; Morocco the 1997 champions, returning to compete strongly, as well as debutants Sierra Leone and Kenya who are making historic first appearances, signaling the growing spread of youth football development across the continent.
Football fans, experts and agents are eager to follow the star players to watch at Egypt 2025. According to Cafonline, key players expected to shine in Egypt include midfielder Pierre Dorival of Senegal, Mohamed Abdullah, the Egyptian midfielder and Ghana’s midfielder Jerry Afriyie as well as Nigeria’s Kparabo Arierhi.
The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has been played since 1979, originally as a home-and-away tournament before evolving into a full host-nation event from 1991. The tournament has launched the careers of many African greats, and its importance in the footballing calendar cannot be overstated.
Previous winners include Nigeria (seven titles), Ghana (four) and Egypt (four) while Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Zambia and Senegal have each won once.
The final is set to be played at Cairo International Stadium, one of Africa’s most iconic venues.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 1 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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