Morocco and Egypt will lock horns on Thursday evening at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium in a highly anticipated semi-final clash at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, with both sides vying for a coveted place in the final.
Morocco arrives in the Egyptian capital unbeaten in the tournament, boasting a potent frontline and disciplined defence.
The Atlas Lions, champions in 1997, are aiming to reach their first final in over two decades.
Their journey to the last four has been marked by strong performances, including wins over Kenya and Tunisia, and a goalless draw against Nigeria in the group stage.
In the quarter-finals, they edged past a determined Sierra Leone side 1-0, thanks to an own goal.
Standing in their path is host nation Egypt, a three-time winner of the competition, last crowned in 2003.
The Pharaohs have battled through a difficult path to reach this stage, showing grit and determination.
After a heavy defeat to Sierra Leone in the group opener, Egypt bounced back with a narrow win over Tanzania and a draw with Zambia.
Their resilience shone through in the quarter-finals, where they overcame Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.
With both sides already qualified for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, this semi-final offers more than just a route to the final—it’s a matter of regional pride and a test of tactical mettle between two of North Africa’s fiercest rivals.
“We have enormous respect for the Egyptian national team. They are determined, resilient, and have quality players. But we want to win this championship. We have achieved our first objective by qualifying for the World Cup; now we want to finish the job,” said Moroccan head coach Mohamed Ouahbi ahead of the match.
His Egyptian counterpart, Osama Nabih, remains cautious but confident.
“Morocco is a strong and well-organized opponent. They were impressive at all levels, and we must rise to the challenge. The pressure of qualifying for the World Cup was enormous,” Nabih acknowledged. “Now that the players have succeeded, they have gained psychological stability. This gives them the peace of mind they need to focus on their next match.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 GMT, with fans expecting a tense and thrilling encounter between two ambitious teams.
With a place in the final on the line, every moment at the June 30 Stadium is set to be fiercely contested.
