Twenty-eight years after their dramatic showdown in the 1997 final, Morocco and South Africa are set to renew their rivalry in the title decider of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations this Sunday in Egypt.
Live stream or watch the U20 AFCON final on SuperSport, SABC and CAF TV
That historic clash ended in a narrow 1-0 win for Morocco, securing their first—and so far only—U-20 AFCON crown. Now, nearly three decades later, the Young Atlas Lions are chasing a return to glory, while South Africa are determined to rewrite history and capture their maiden continental title at this level.
Both sides booked their places in the final with hard-fought 1-0 victories in Thursday’s semi-finals. South Africa edged past Nigeria thanks to a powerful header from Michael Smith, while Morocco silenced the home crowd with a composed finish from Jones El Abdellaoui to eliminate hosts Egypt.
Morocco have built their campaign on defensive discipline and tactical precision, keeping clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds. With a confident backline and clinical attackers, they enter the final with momentum and the weight of history on their side.
South Africa, meanwhile, have grown stronger with each match. Their triumph over a highly-rated Nigerian outfit was a statement of intent, and coach Vela Khumalo’s team is hungry to claim the trophy that slipped through their fingers in 1997—just a year after their senior side lifted the CAF AFCON on home soil.
WHERE TO WATCH U20 AFCON FINAL
Although SuperSport TV was unable to broadcast the earlier stages of the tournament, the broadcaster has confirmed it will air the highly anticipated final between South Africa’s Amajita and Morocco. The match will be shown live on SuperSport Variety 4 (SA).
Fans can also catch the action live on the CAF YouTube channel, ensuring global accessibility for this historic clash.
Additionally, the final will be broadcast free-to-air on SABC 2, giving South African viewers multiple options to support the national U20 team in their quest for continental glory.
HOW THEY REACHED THE FINAL?
Amajita and Morocco are the last two standing in the race for U-20 AFCON glory—but how did they earn their place in Sunday’s final?
South Africa’s campaign began with a setback, losing narrowly to hosts Egypt. However, they bounced back with a crucial draw against Zambia to top Group A, followed by knockout wins over DR Congo (in extra time) and a gritty 1-0 semi-final victory over Nigeria, thanks to Tylon Smith’s decisive goal.
Morocco, meanwhile, topped Group B unbeaten, including wins over Kenya and Tunisia. They edged Sierra Leone in extra time in the quarter-finals and then dispatched Egypt 1-0 in the semis, with Jones El Abdellaoui delivering the winner.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN U20 AFCON FINAL
Thabang Mahlangu (South Africa, Supersport United, Age 19)
Mahlangu has emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament. The Supersport United forward has featured in all six matches, netting three vital goals—including a dramatic winner against DR Congo in the quarter-finals.
His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. He earned a Man of the Match rating of 7.8 in that quarter-final clash and followed it up with a solid 6.7 performance in the semi-final against Nigeria.
With his sharp movement, instinctive finishing, and relentless energy in the final third, Mahlangu could prove to be South Africa’s X-factor in Sunday’s title decider.
Jones El Abdellaoui (Morocco, Celta Vigo, Age 19)
The Spain-based forward has made a significant impact in just three appearances for Morocco. His standout moment came in the semi-final against Egypt, where he scored the decisive goal and earned a 7.6 rating—despite playing only 26 minutes.
Representing Celta Vigo, El Abdellaoui brings a blend of European experience and clinical precision to Morocco’s frontline. His composed finish against the hosts not only sealed their place in the final but also proved he thrives under pressure.
SCORE PREDICTION AND MATCH FACTS
It is the second time each has reached this stage of the tournament, with Morocco, as hosts, victorious in their previous final as they beat South Africa 1-0 to claim their only title to date.
South Africa have never beaten North African opposition at the tournament, losing all five encounters.
In addition to the 1997 final, they have suffered four 1-0 defeats to Egypt in the group stages of 2001, 2009, 2011, and 2025. All five defeats have been by a single goal, with four ending 1-0.
Morocco boast a perfect record against Southern African teams, having beaten South Africa in the 1997 final and secured group-stage wins over Lesotho (2-0) and Angola (1-0) in 2005.
This is South Africa’s fifth final across CAF youth and senior tournaments. They previously reached the senior finals in 1996 and 1998, defeating Tunisia and losing to Egypt, respectively.
At U-20 level, they lost the 1997 final to Morocco. A win this time would make them the 12th different nation to lift the trophy and the second from Southern Africa after Zambia in 2017.
Prediction: South Africa 2-1 Morocco
