Amajita Crowned U-20 AFCON Champions After Historic Victory Over Morocco

Cape Town – South Africa’s national under-20 soccer team, Amajita, achieved a historic milestone by clinching their first-ever CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title. In a tightly contested final held on May 18 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Amajita secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco, marking a significant achievement 28 years after their last appearance in the tournament’s final.

The decisive moment came in the 70th minute when midfielder Gomolemo Kekana capitalized on a defensive error, delivering a powerful strike that found the back of the net. Initially ruled offside, the goal was awarded following a VAR review, igniting celebrations among the South African contingent.

Hearty congratulations to Amajita on winning the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling final against Morrocco at the tournament hosted in Egypt.

This first continental championship by Amajita attained 28 years since their last final represents the decades-long… pic.twitter.com/N1EFf7RxHb

— Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 19, 2025

This triumph is particularly noteworthy as it avenges South Africa’s 1-0 loss to Morocco in the 1997 final. Under the guidance of head coach Raymond Mdaka, Amajita navigated a challenging tournament path, including narrow victories over the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria in the knockout stages.

Individual performances also stood out during the tournament. Defender Tylon Smith was named Player of the Tournament for his consistent defensive prowess and crucial goal in the semi-final against Nigeria. Goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe earned accolades for his exceptional saves, including a pivotal assist in the final, and was awarded Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

With this victory, South Africa not only secures its place in the annals of African youth football but also qualifies for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, alongside Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his congratulations to Amajita, highlighting the team’s success as a testament to the country’s long-term investment in football development. He expressed national pride and wished the team continued success in the upcoming global tournament.

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