South Africa secured their inaugural CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, May 18, 2025, defeating Morocco 1-0 in a tightly contested final at Cairo International Stadium. The decisive moment came in the 70th minute when Gomolemo Kekana unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box, curling the ball into the top corner past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Benrahmoune. The goal, confirmed after a VAR review, sparked wild celebrations and marked South Africa’s first-ever win against a North African team in the competition’s history.
The match was a tactical battle, with Morocco dominating possession early and creating chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi. South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe, who made 24 saves throughout the tournament, was pivotal, thwarting Morocco’s attacks. South Africa, who had lost to Morocco in the 1997 final, grew into the game, with Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi testing the Moroccan defense. Despite Morocco’s second-half pressure, led by Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, their lack of finishing proved costly. South Africa’s defense, anchored by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba, stood firm after Kekana’s goal to secure the historic victory.
The triumph, South Africa’s first continental youth title, ended Morocco’s 14-match unbeaten streak in U-20 AFCON and made South Africa the 12th nation to claim the trophy. Having overcome a group-stage loss to Egypt and defeated DR Congo and Nigeria en route to the final, South Africa’s nine goals across the tournament were enough to etch their name in history.
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