South Africa’s U-20 team wrote a new chapter in their football history on Sunday night, lifting their first-ever CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations trophy after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco at the Cairo International Stadium.
The match was decided by a moment of sheer brilliance in the 70th minute. Gomolemo Kekana, with the confidence of a seasoned pro, launched a stunning long-range shot from outside the box. The ball curled beautifully into the top corner, past a helpless Yassine Benrahmoune in Morocco’s goal. The celebration was momentarily paused for a VAR check, but once confirmed, the South African bench erupted in joy.
It was a tight and tactical game from start to finish. Morocco started strong, dominating early possession and pushing forward with intent. Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi came close to opening the scoring, but South Africa’s goalkeeper, Fletcher Lowe, delivered a stellar performance, denying every effort with sharp reflexes and composure.
This final held deeper meaning for South Africa. It was their first U-20 AFCON final appearance since 1997 — a match they lost to none other than Morocco. But this time, the outcome was different. They turned the tables and also broke a jinx, claiming their first win against a North African side in the competition’s history after five previous one-goal defeats.
As the second half unfolded, both teams continued to battle hard. Morocco kept pressing, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal leading the charge. But they couldn’t find the killer touch.
Once Kekana’s goal went in, South Africa smartly switched to a defensive stance. Led by the rock-solid duo of Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba at the back, they absorbed Morocco’s pressure and held on till the final whistle.
For South Africa, this wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. They showed grit, tactical maturity, and resilience. They scored only nine goals throughout the tournament but made each one count, beating tough sides like DR Congo, Nigeria, and now Morocco.
Goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was undoubtedly one of the heroes of the tournament, setting a new record with 24 saves — a testament to his consistency and leadership between the posts.
For Morocco, it was heartbreak. Their 14-game unbeaten streak in U-20 AFCON came to an end. They had flair, control, and talent, but on this night, it just wasn’t enough.
South Africa’s victory signals a shift in youth football power on the continent — and for a team that fought their way from a group-stage setback to continental glory, the future looks incredibly bright.