By Victor Kanayo
Morocco and South Africa will face off on Sunday in the final showdown of the ongoing U20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt.
The eagerly anticipated final is scheduled for the 6th of October Stadium in Cairo.
What History Says
Historically, this clash will be a repeat of the 1997 encounter.
The 1997 encounter ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Morocco, sealing their first and only CAF U-20 AFCON crown.
Now, nearly three decades later, the Young Atlas Lions will be aiming to replicate that historic success, while South Africa are determined to reverse the outcome and clinch their maiden continental title at this level.
En Route to the Final Showdown
Both teams booked their spots in the final with gritty 1-0 wins in Thursday’s semi-finals.
South Africa edged past Nigeria with a powerful header from Michael Smith, while Morocco eliminated tournament hosts Egypt thanks to a composed finish from Jones El Abdellaoui.
Morocco have impressed with their defensive solidity and tactical cohesion, maintaining a string of clean sheets in the knockout stages.
Led by a confident backline and clinical forwards, they carry momentum and the weight of history into Sunday’s clash.
South Africa, meanwhile, have grown stronger as the tournament has progressed.
Their victory over a highly rated Nigerian side was a statement of intent, and coach Vela Khumalo’s team will be desperate to lift the trophy that narrowly eluded them in 1997, just a year after their senior team won the CAF AFCON on home soil.
In the third-place match, Nigeria and Egypt will tangle earlier on the same day.
