Morocco are through to the final of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 victory over hosts Egypt at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium, thanks to a decisive goal from substitute Jones El-Abdellaoui.
The Atlas Lions, crowned champions only once in 1997, will return to the competition’s showpiece match for the first time in nearly three decades.
Their triumph over the Pharaohs was hard-earned, with El-Abdellaoui’s clinical finish in the second half sealing the win in front of a raucous Egyptian crowd.
From the opening whistle, Egypt looked intent on feeding off the home support.
The atmosphere reached fever pitch in the early exchanges, particularly when Momen Sherif whipped in a cross in the second minute that was deflected off the near post by a Moroccan defender.
GOAAALL | 1-0
Super-sub Jones El-Abdellaoui fires Morocco into the lead!
A sweeping team effort covering half the pitch ends in a crucial breakthrough, too bad the drones missed capturing that beauty this time ❌ pic.twitter.com/EtWVeBevLG
— 𝗠𝗩𝗡_𝗘𝗡 | 🇲🇦 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 (@MVN_EN) May 15, 2025
But Morocco quickly found their rhythm and asserted control over the match.
In the sixth minute, a promising move saw left-back Fouad Zahouani deliver a cross that was only partially cleared.
Reda Laalaoui’s follow-up shot was blocked by an Egyptian defender, foreshadowing the pressure Egypt would endure.
The Moroccan grip tightened as the match progressed.
In the 32nd minute, Saad El Haddad unleashed a powerful shot after a pullback from the left, but Egypt’s goalkeeper Abdelmonem Tamer parried the effort.
Egypt’s first real chance didn’t arrive until the 41st minute, when Seif El Deen Essam fired a speculative long-range effort wide of goal.
The second half brought a flurry of chances for Morocco, who looked increasingly threatening.
Hossam Essadak stung Tamer’s gloves with a fierce close-range effort in the 56th minute.
Moments later, Laalaoui came close with a well-controlled pivot shot that sailed just over the bar.
Morocco’s dominance finally paid off in the 77th minute.
Following a midfield turnover, Ismaël Aouad surged down the right and cut the ball back into the area.
Ayman Arguigue’s clever backheel created space at the far post for El-Abdellaoui, who rifled the ball under the crossbar.
The 18-year-old, born in Norway and playing for Celta Vigo, had only recently come off the bench before delivering the decisive blow.
Egypt were unable to respond in the closing minutes, as Morocco maintained their composure to secure a place in Sunday’s final against South Africa.
The Pharaohs, meanwhile, will face Nigeria in the third-place play-off after the Super Eagles fell 1-0 in the other semi-final.
