South Africa has won the 2025 Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final of the continent’s age grade football championship in Cairo, Egypt.
The win marks their maiden CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and was secured with a hard-fought victory over a resilient Moroccan team on Sunday.
Gomolemo Kekana wrote his name in South African football history book with his stunning second-half strike which proved decisive in bringing the trophy to the rainbow nation.
In the 70th minute, Kekanahe unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box with his effort beating the Moroccan goalkeeper.
South Africa’s victory marks their first-ever youth continental triumph and adds them to a growing list of recent debut winners, following Senegal’s 2023 success.
It also broke their jinx against North African opposition, ending a run of five previous defeats — all by a single goal margin.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured third position in the tournament after a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the playoff match.
They played a 1-1 draw before the Nigerians won 4-1 win during penalty shootout. All four teams will be representing Africa at the U-20 World Cup.
