South Africa captured their first CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in Sunday night’s final at Cairo International Stadium.
Key Moments:
- Gomolemo Kekana scored the match-winner in the 70th minute with a stunning long-range strike, confirmed by VAR.
- The win marks South Africa’s first victory over a North African side in U-20 AFCON history and ends their 27-year wait to reach a final since losing to Morocco in 1997.
Match Highlights:
- Morocco dominated early, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe made crucial saves.
- South Africa grew into the match and capitalized on a rare chance with Kekana’s strike.
- The team defended resolutely in the closing stages, led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba.
Tournament Takeaways:
- South Africa scored 9 goals total, edging past DR Congo, Nigeria, and Morocco en route to the title.
- Fletcher Lowe finished with a record 24 saves, showcasing their defensive strength.
- Morocco’s 14-match unbeaten run came to an end, despite showing flair throughout the tournament.
This victory signals a potential shift in regional youth football power, with South Africa breaking a long-standing pattern of losses to North African teams.
