The 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is entering its decisive stage as the four semi-finalists—Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa—have emerged following intense quarter-final battles concluded on Monday, May 12.
After a weekend filled with drama, late goals, penalty shootouts, and resilient performances, the tournament now promises two high-octane semi-final matchups as the continent’s future stars continue their quest for continental glory and a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria Edge Past Senegal on Penalties
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria booked their semi-final ticket in dramatic fashion, defeating arch-rivals Senegal in a tense quarter-final that ended goalless after 120 minutes of action.
In a closely contested encounter, neither side was able to find a breakthrough in regulation or extra time. However, the Nigerian boys held their nerve during the penalty shootout, prevailing 5-4 to send the Young Teranga Lions crashing out of the competition.
Head coach Ladan Bosso expressed pride in his team’s mental strength after the hard-fought win.
“This was a battle between two of Africa’s finest youth teams. I must commend my players for staying focused and calm under pressure,” Bosso said in his post-match interview. “Senegal gave us a tough game, but we showed discipline and resilience. Now we must turn our attention to the semi-final.”
Goalkeeper Daniel Odoh was Nigeria’s hero during the shootout, pulling off a crucial save that ultimately sealed the victory for the Flying Eagles.
Egypt Survive Ghana Scare to Book Last Four Spot
Hosts Egypt held on for a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana to secure their place in the semi-finals. The Pharaohs took an early lead in front of a lively home crowd, and despite a late resurgence from the Black Satellites, they managed to hold firm and see out the win.
Mohamed Gaber’s 18th-minute strike proved to be the difference in a match where Egypt’s defence was tested late on. Ghana pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but the Egyptians held on to maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament.
“We knew Ghana would be dangerous, especially with their pace and physicality,” Egypt U-20 coach Mahmoud Gaber stated after the game. “But our boys remained composed. We are happy to be in the semi-finals and now have a big task ahead against Morocco.”
Morocco Edge Sierra Leone in Extra-Time Thriller
Morocco’s U-20 side had to dig deep to overcome tournament debutants Sierra Leone in one of the most dramatic quarter-final clashes. With the game goalless after 90 minutes, it was Ayoub El Harrak who emerged as the hero, scoring in the 108th minute to give the North Africans a hard-earned 1-0 victory.
Despite being underdogs, Sierra Leone displayed remarkable organisation and spirit, pushing Morocco to the limit. Their goalkeeper, Alusine Koroma, made several key saves to keep his team in the game, but Morocco’s persistence eventually paid off.
Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi praised his team’s patience and tactical discipline:
“Sierra Leone were fantastic. They made it very difficult for us. We had to stay patient, and I’m proud of how we managed to find the winner in extra time.”
South Africa See Off DR Congo to Complete Semi-Final Line-Up
South Africa secured the final semi-final berth with a 1-0 extra-time victory over DR Congo in another closely contested fixture. After a goalless 90 minutes, Thabo Mahlatsi scored the decisive goal in the 112th minute, sparking celebrations among the South African bench.
The Amajita displayed great stamina and tactical awareness to withstand the physical challenge posed by the Congolese, who had several chances of their own but failed to convert.
South Africa’s head coach, Vela Khumalo, commended his players for their fighting spirit:
“We showed great determination and composure. It wasn’t an easy match, but the boys kept pushing until the goal came. Now, we face Nigeria—a team with great tradition—but we’re ready.”
Confirmed U-20 AFCON Semi-Final Fixtures
The semi-final fixtures are now officially set, with two blockbuster encounters scheduled for Wednesday, May 15:
- Nigeria vs South Africa – 4:00 PM local time
- Morocco vs Egypt – 9:00 PM local time
Both matches promise thrilling action as the teams battle not only for a place in the final but also to enhance their credentials ahead of the U-20 World Cup later this year.
Nigeria will enter the clash with South Africa confident of their historical dominance at youth level but wary of a South African side that has proven resilient and tactically sharp. The Flying Eagles, six-time champions of the tournament, will look to their solid backline and clinical finishers to carry them past the Amajita.
Meanwhile, hosts Egypt will have the advantage of home support in their encounter against a technically sound Moroccan team that has looked sharp throughout the tournament. With both teams boasting top-quality midfielders and attacking threats, their clash could prove to be the tournament’s highlight.
Road to the Final
The winners of the two semi-finals will advance to the grand final scheduled for May 18, 2025. The two losing teams will also play in a third-place playoff on the same day, adding to the excitement as the tournament draws to a close.
Conclusion
The 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has lived up to expectations, delivering exciting football and showcasing the future stars of African football. With Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt remaining, fans can expect high-intensity matches filled with passion, skill, and drama in the upcoming semi-final showdowns.
Whether it’s Nigeria’s proven pedigree, Morocco’s technical mastery, Egypt’s home advantage, or South Africa’s underdog spirit—each team brings its unique strength into the final four. One thing is certain: African football fans are in for a treat.
