By Mark Ogagan
South Africa won their maiden CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Sunday night’s final at Cairo International Stadium.
Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning second-half strike proved decisive, as the Southern Africans claimed the trophy and rewrote history by overcoming a North African opponent in the tournament for the first time.
The only goal of the final came in the 70th minute when Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, bending the ball into the top corner.
The goal, awarded after a VAR review, broke the deadlock in a tense contest dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.
Kekana’s goal capped a superb tournament for South Africa, who had never reached another U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco.
Ultimately, Morocco’s hopes of lifting a second U20 Africa Cup of Nations title were dashed despite reaching the tournament’s final game unbeaten, the Atlas Cubs struggled defensively from the outset, with South Africa creating several early openings that exposed Morocco’s back line.
It was a disappointing end for a Moroccan side that had shown promise throughout the tournament. The defeat denies them a second U20 African title, their only previous triumph coming in 1997 under coach Rachid Taoussi.
Despite the result, Morocco, along with South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria, have all secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup to be held from September 27 to October 19 in Chile.
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