South Africa’s national U-20 team, Amajita, etched their names into the history books on Sunday night after clinching their first-ever CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final.
The historic match, played at a packed stadium in Cairo, saw Amajita rise to the occasion, delivering a disciplined and determined performance against a technically strong Moroccan side. Despite being the underdogs heading into the final, South Africa showed maturity and composure beyond their years to secure the continental crown.
The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Thapelo Maseko broke the deadlock with a stunning finish from outside the box. The Supersport United youngster latched onto a loose ball and curled it past the Moroccan goalkeeper to send the South African bench and fans into wild celebration.
South Africa then defended their lead with grit, with goalkeeper Sibusiso Mzimela pulling off a series of crucial saves to keep Morocco at bay. The final whistle sparked emotional scenes as players and coaches embraced, fully aware of the magnitude of their achievement.
Head coach Vela Khumalo hailed his players’ determination and unity throughout the tournament:
“These boys have shown the heart of true champions. They believed, they fought, and they made history. This is a proud moment for South African football,” Khumalo said after the match.
Amajita’s road to the final included impressive victories over Nigeria and Senegal, as well as a tense semifinal win over Ghana. Their title win not only marks a first for South Africa at this level, but also reflects the growing potential in the country’s youth development structures.
The CAF U-20 AFCON win has earned Amajita automatic qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they will represent Africa alongside fellow semifinalists.
The triumph has been widely celebrated across South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and SAFA officials sending messages of congratulations to the young heroes.
“Amajita’s victory is a source of national pride. These young men have inspired a generation and brought honour to the country,” said SAFA President Danny Jordaan.
With their maiden continental title secured, Amajita will now turn their focus to preparing for the world stage, where they hope to continue flying the South African flag high.
