By Victor Trophy
South Africa have won their first-ever CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Morocco 1-0 in Sunday night’s final at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
A stunning second-half strike from Gomolemo Kekana proved decisive as the Southern Africans lifted the trophy and rewrote history by beating a North African side for the first time in the competition.
The only goal of the match came in the 70th minute, when Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, curling the ball into the top corner.
VAR Effect
According to CAF media, the goal was awarded following a VAR review, breaking the deadlock in a tense contest defined by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.
Kekana’s goal capped a superb tournament for South Africa, who had not reached a U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco.
This time, they turned the tables, avenging that loss to lift the trophy and become the 12th different nation to win the title.
En Route to the Final, High Play Intensity
Both teams arrived at the final unbeaten, having showcased some of the tournament’s best defensive records.
Morocco, the more fluid side in the first half, created the better chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was once again in inspired form.
South Africa, who grew into the tournament after losing their opener to Egypt, showed resilience and patience. Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had half chances, but neither side found the net before the break.
The second half saw Morocco pushing forward, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal coming close.
However, the North Africans were wasteful in front of goal, and South Africa’s high pressing eventually paid off.
After Kekana’s wonder strike, South Africa absorbed pressure with admirable discipline. Morocco committed men forward in search of an equaliser, but South Africa’s backline — led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba — held firm.
Broken Jinx, Rising Force
South Africa’s triumph marks their first-ever youth continental title and adds them to the growing list of debut champions, following Senegal’s maiden success in 2023.
It also ended their long-standing jinx against North African opponents, having previously lost five consecutive encounters — all by a single goal margin.
Fletcher Lowe finished the tournament with the most saves (24), underlining South Africa’s defensive grit.
Kekana’s goal was only their ninth of the campaign, but every strike counted, as they edged past DR Congo, Nigeria, and now Morocco in the knockout stages.
Bitter Blow to North Africans
For Morocco, the loss was a missed opportunity to clinch a second title. They entered the final unbeaten in 14 U-20 AFCON matches in open play, but Sunday’s defeat — their first of the tournament — was a bitter pill to swallow.
Despite a series of impressive performances, their wait for a second crown continues.
