U-20 AFCON: South Africa win tightly contested Group A, quarterfinal pairings confirmed
- Andrew Olsson
- May 9
- 2 min read
Group A at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt had plenty of suspense heading into Friday's final fixtures and after a tense two matches, the quarterfinal picture is now complete.
South Africa played regional rivals Zambia to a 1-1 draw, a result good enough to qualify South Africa for the quarterfinals as Group A winners while Zambia narrowly missed out. U-20 AFCON hosts Egypt edged out already eliminated last place team Tanzania 1-0 in a match that was filled with tension for the home supporters but just good enough to qualify Egypt for the quarterfinals as one of the two best third place finishers.
All South Africa needed was a draw or victory to advance as Group A winners and Amajita got the job done. Kutlwano Lethlaku finished an excellent team movement in the 8th minute to put South Africa ahead before Bonephanseo Phiri provided a quick response for Young Chipolopolo. Zambia, needing to win to advance and avoid elimination, pushed hard but could not snatch a place in the quarterfinals.
Over in Ismaila, hosts Egypt did just enough to advance. Ahmed Sharaf put Egypt ahead in the 7th minute through a stroke of good fortune and despite a furious push from already eliminated Tanzania, Egypt just held on in a tense finish.
Below is the confirmed quarterfinal matchups, the final Group A table and the final third placed teams table.
Quarterfinal Matches
May 12
Nigeria vs Senegal- 12:00 GMT (Ismaila)
Ghana vs Egypt- 15:00 GMT (Suez)
Morocco vs Sierra Leone- 15:00 GMT (Cairo)
South Africa vs DR Congo- 18:00 GMT (Ismaila)
Final Group A Table
Points | GD | |
South Africa | 7 | +3 |
Sierra Leone | 7 | +1 |
Egypt | 7 | -1 |
Zambia | 6 | +1 |
Tanzania | 0 | -4 |
South Africa and Sierra Leone qualify for the quarterfinals as the group winners and runners-up.
Egypt qualifies for the quarterfinals as one of the best third placed teams.
South Africa, tied on points with Sierra Leone and Egypt wins the group because of a superior goal difference versus the other two teams (South Africa: 3 pts, +2 GD, Sierra Leone: 3 pts, 0 GD, Egypt: 3 pts, -2 GD)
Third Place Teams Table
Points | GD | |
DR Congo | 4 | 0 |
Egypt | 4 | -1 |
Tunisia | 3 | -1 |
DR Congo and Egypt qualify for the quarterfinals as the two best third place teams. Because Egypt was in Group A which had five teams, their victory over the last placed team in Group A, Tanzania, does not count in the third place table.
