The semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt are set to deliver high-stakes drama, with two intense fixtures pitting Nigeria against South Africa and Morocco against the host nation in Cairo.
All four nations have already secured qualification for the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile, but the race for continental supremacy remains wide open.
Thursday’s double-header in Suez and Cairo promises fierce competition as each side eyes a place in Sunday’s final.
Nigeria, the most decorated team in the competition’s history with seven titles, will meet South Africa at the Suez Canal Stadium at 15:00 GMT.
The Flying Eagles arrive with momentum, having topped Group B unbeaten and knocking out defending champions Senegal in a tense quarter-final decided by penalties.
The team’s defensive organisation and tactical discipline have underlined their credentials as title favourites.
South Africa, meanwhile, are hoping to write history by capturing their first-ever U-20 AFCON title.
Amajita showed flashes of quality during the group stage, with a commanding win over Sierra Leone and a narrow loss to Egypt.
In the quarter-finals, they edged DR Congo 1-0 in extra time, with Thabang Mahlangu’s well-taken goal sealing a place in the last four.
Later in the evening, the June 30 Stadium in Cairo will host the North African derby between Egypt and Morocco at 18:00 GMT.
The match promises to be a tactical contest, as both teams have shown resilience and structure throughout the tournament.
Egypt, led by coach Osama Nabih, have bounced back impressively since an early 4-1 defeat to Sierra Leone.
They edged South Africa in the group stage and overcame Ghana in a dramatic quarter-final via penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
“Morocco is a strong and well-organized opponent. They were impressive at all levels, and we must rise to the challenge,” said Nabih. “Now that the players have succeeded [in qualifying for the World Cup], they have gained psychological stability. This gives them the peace of mind they need to focus on their next match.”
Morocco, unbeaten in the tournament so far, are aiming for only their second U-20 AFCON title—their first coming in 1997.
The Atlas Lions dominated their group with wins over Kenya and Tunisia, before drawing with Nigeria.
In the quarter-finals, they narrowly saw off Sierra Leone 1-0, aided by an own goal.
“We have enormous respect for the Egyptian national team. They are determined, resilient, and have quality players. But we want to win this championship,” said Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi. “We have achieved our first objective by qualifying for the World Cup; now we want to finish the job.”
With two compelling semi-finals ahead, Thursday’s matches will not only decide the finalists but could also set the tone for a new era in African youth football.
Semi-final fixtures (Thursday, May 16):
- Nigeria vs South Africa – 15:00 GMT, Suez Canal Stadium
- Morocco vs Egypt – 18:00 GMT, June 30 Stadium, Cairo
