South Africa’s Amajita Edge Nigeria to Reach First U-20 AFCON Final Since 1997
South Africa’s U-20 national team, the Amajita, made history on Thursday evening as they clinched a spot in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Egypt 2025. A hard-fought 1-0 win over Nigeria at the Suez Canal Stadium sent them into their first final in nearly three decades — and just their second ever.
The match was decided by a moment of brilliance in the 66th minute, when Tylon Smith rose highest in the box to head home a well-placed corner from Neo Rapoo. It was Smith’s first goal of the tournament and couldn’t have come at a better time.
Despite Nigeria dominating possession and piling on pressure, especially in the latter stages of the game, they couldn’t find a way past South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe. The Amajita shot-stopper delivered a heroic performance, pulling off a string of world-class saves to deny Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma as the Flying Eagles searched desperately for an equalizer.
The game started tentatively, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Early attempts from Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku didn’t trouble the goalkeepers, and the first half ended without a breakthrough.
After the interval, Nigeria came out stronger and made attacking substitutions in the 65th minute, bringing on Rickson Mendos and Bidemi Amole. The changes had an immediate impact, sparking several promising chances, the closest of which was Ayuma’s diving header — brilliantly saved by Lowe to preserve South Africa’s lead.
South Africa’s defensive discipline and resilience were on full display in the closing stages, as they soaked up the pressure and saw out the game with remarkable composure. With the win, they not only earned a spot in the U-20 AFCON final for the first time since 1997 but also secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria, meanwhile, saw their hopes of lifting a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title dashed. It marks their third straight semi-final exit, having fallen at the same stage to Gambia in 2023 and Mali in 2019.
Now, the Amajita turn their focus to Sunday’s final, where they will look to make history and lift their first continental crown.
