South Africa’s U20 national football team, Amajita, made history on Sunday night by clinching their first-ever CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations title. They defeated Morocco 1-0 in a thrilling and tactically intense final at the Cairo International Stadium.
This victory marked a long-awaited achievement for South Africa, 28 years after their last appearance in the final, which also saw them face off against Morocco, but ended in defeat. This time, however, it was Amajita who emerged victorious in dramatic fashion.
A Tactical Final Decided by VAR
Both teams entered the final on unbeaten runs through the knockout stages, setting the stage for a tight and fiercely contested match. The game was characterized by solid defensive play, outstanding goalkeeping, and a high level of tactical discipline.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when South African goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe launched a long pass that sparked a quick counterattack. Shandre Campbell made a perfectly timed run and delivered a precise assist to Thulani Kekana, who calmly finished past the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Initially flagged offside by the assistant referee, a VAR review confirmed the goal, setting off wild celebrations among the players, coaching staff, and fans.
Amajita’s Hero: Fletcher Smythe-Lowe
Smythe-Lowe was the hero of the match, putting in a man-of-the-match performance with a series of crucial saves. He denied Moroccan forwards Mouad Dahak and Jones El Abdellaoui on multiple occasions, keeping his team in the game.
As Morocco pressed forward in the dying minutes, the South African defense stood firm. Morocco’s best chance to equalize came in the 83rd minute, but Othmane Maamma missed a clear opportunity in front of goal. Shortly after, Shakeel April nearly doubled South Africa’s lead, only to be thwarted by the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Amajita’s Journey to Glory
South Africa’s path to the title was one of resilience. After a disappointing loss to Egypt in their tournament opener, Amajita bounced back with wins over Tanzania and Sierra Leone, before eliminating DR Congo and Nigeria in the knockout rounds.
“This victory is more than just a win—it’s a turning point for South African football,” said coach Raymond Mdaka. “These young men showed character, hunger, and belief. The future is bright.”
Nigeria Secures Third Place
In the earlier match, Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to claim third place in the competition.
Amajita’s Message to Africa
With this historic win, Amajita sent a powerful message to the African continent: South Africa’s youth football has arrived. This generation has demonstrated its ability to compete—and win—at the highest level of African football.
Now, the focus shifts to the FIFA U20 World Cup, where South Africa will aim to carry their continental momentum onto the global stage.
