Egypt booked their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 with a nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Ghana after a tense 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time at the New Suez Stadium.
Egypt will face Morocco in Thursday’s semi-final as the Moroccans reached the last four with a 1-0 extra-time win over Sierra Leone also on Monday.
Nigeria defeated Senegal in another dramatic penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals. They will face South Africa who defeated DR Congo 1-0.
The tournament’s four semi-finalists have now earned qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, set to kick off from 27 September to 19 October this year.
Against Ghana, according to cafonline, Egypt took a two-goal lead courtesy of a brace from Mo’men Goweili. His first came in the 19th minute, a powerful finish from the centre of the box, before doubling the advantage in the 27th minute with a composed strike after Ghana’s defence failed to clear.
Just before half-time, Ghana responded through Aziz Issah, whose left-footed drive from outside the box gave his side hope going into the break.
Ghana were handed a lifeline in the 90th minute when VAR awarded them a penalty following a foul on Joseph Opoku. Abdul Sulemana stepped up and slotted home the equaliser to force extra time.
Ghana’s hopes of winning took a blow when Aaron Essel was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 107th minute.
In the shootout, all found the net from both sides except Dacosta Antwi of Ghana who saw his effort saved.
Egypt, a four-time champion, are now through to their eighth semi-final at the tournament despite entering the match with the worst goal difference among the quarter-finalists. The result means Egypt avoid the embarrassment of back-to-back group-stage exits as hosts.
For Ghana, it was another heartbreak against Egypt in a U20 knockout match, echoing their 2013 final defeat.
The result marks Egypt’s ninth appearance at the U-20 World Cup and the first since 2013, with their best finish a third-place showing in Argentina in 2001.
Nigeria moved one step closer to a record-extending eighth U20 AFCON title after beating Senegal in the quarters.
South Africa completed the semi-final quartet with a 1-0 extra-time win over DR Congo, thanks to Thabang Mahlangu’s decisive strike deep into added time.
Morocco edged debutants Sierra Leone 1-0 in extra time thanks to a dramatic late own goal from Amara Keita.
For Morocco, who will play Egypt in the semi-finals today 15 May, the win marks their second semi-final appearance since 2005 and maintains their unbeaten run at the 2025 finals.
In the Paris 2024 Olympics, Morocco blasted Egypt 6-0.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 15 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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