By: alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspapersl.com
Makeni, SIERRA LEONE – In a dramatic showdown at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium on Sunday night, South Africa etched their name into the history books by capturing their first-ever TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, courtesy of a sensational 70th-minute strike from Gomolemo Kekana.
Kekana’s thunderous goal, which survived a tense VAR review, proved to be the match-winner in the hard-fought 1-0 victory over tournament favorites Morocco. The result not only ended Morocco’s impressive unbeaten run but also served sweet revenge for South Africa, who lost to the North African side in the U-20 finals 28 years ago.
The young Bafana Bafana held firm under pressure to protect their narrow lead and were rewarded with a historic triumph that crowns them champions of Africa at the U-20 level for the very first time.
Morocco, who were eyeing their second U-20 title, were left to rue missed chances and a rare defensive lapse that allowed Kekana the space to strike. Despite the disappointment, they were recognized for their sportsmanship with the Fair Play Award.
The tournament also celebrated individual brilliance with four major accolades handed out. Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara emerged as the competition’s top scorer, showcasing his lethal form in front of goal throughout the campaign.
South Africa’s dominance was further highlighted through a trio of honors: Tylon Smith was named Best Player of the tournament, Fletcher Lowe claimed the Best Goalkeeper award, and head coach Raymond Mdaka earned the Best Coach title for masterminding the team’s historic run.
Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the 2025 U-20 AFCON will be remembered not just for South Africa’s long-awaited glory, but also for the rising stars who lit up the tournament and set the stage for Africa’s football future. ARW/21/5/2025
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