U-20 AFCON: Egypt survive penalties, qualify for U-20 World Cup in heartbreaking defeat for Ghana

Egyptian Football Association/Facebook

2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Egypt have qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup following Monday's penalty shootout victory over Ghana in the quarterfinals. Egypt progressed 5-4 in the shootout after extra time following a dramatic 2-2 draw in Suez.

Egypt will face North African rivals Morocco in the semifinals on May 15 despite conceding a late equalizer in the final moments of regulation on Monday. Costly defensive errors from Ghana were the major reason for their defeat despite dominating large stretches of the match.

The Young Pharaohs opened the scoring in the 19th minute when a long punt from goalkeeper Abdelmonem Tamer bounced into the Ghanaian penalty area and caused a miscommunication between Black Satellites goalkeeper Gidios Aseako and captain McCarthy Ofori. Aseako was left stranded when Momen Sherif finished after a challenge from Ahmed Sharaf dislodged the ball.

Disaster struck again for Ofori and Ghana when he allowed Sherif to sneak in behind again when another long ball from the Egyptian defense bounced into the penalty area. Sherif pounced to go around Aseako and finish for another embarrassing concession from the Black Satellites.

Ghana, who dominated the ball throughout the match, did get an important goal just before halftime to pull one back when FC Barcelona B player Aziz Issah's long range effort caused all sorts of problems, taking a wicked bounce on its way past Tamer.

And the second half saw continued Ghanaian dominance with Egypt forced to settle for a defensive posture and counter-attacking strategy. Issah found space on his deadly left foot again to draw a save from Tamer on another long distance effort.

In the final moments, Ghana received a reprieve when Joseph Opoku was fouled while attempting a shot. Following a long VAR review, a penalty kick was awarded and Abdul Sulemana made no mistake with a calm spot kick to level and send the match to extra time.

But after a scoreless extra time, Egypt substituted backup goalkeeper Ahmed Menshawi for the penalty shootout and he denied Ghana's second attempt from Dacosta Antwi. A perfect set of five spot kicks from the hosts clinched victory and most importantly, a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year in Chile.