Photo Credit: Union Nord-Africaine De Football
The North Africa U-20 Championship qualifiers, held at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, concluded with Egypt and Morocco earning their places in the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
Egypt's crucial victory over Tunisia
In a decisive final round match, Egypt's U-20 team clinched a vital 1-0 win against Tunisia, securing the second spot in the group and qualification for the continental tournament.
The match's lone goal came from Ahmed Kabaka in the 54th minute, who unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the Tunisian net. Despite being reduced to ten men after Fares Khaled received a red card in the 40th minute for a challenge on a Tunisian player, the Egyptian team displayed resilience and maintained their lead until the final whistle.
This victory elevated Egypt's tally to 7 points, placing them second behind Morocco, who topped the group with 10 points. Tunisia remained in third place with 6 points.
Video: Ahmed Kabaka scores the important goal to qualify Egypt for the U-20 AFCON
Algeria's dominant performance against Libya
In another fixture of the same round, Algeria showcased a commanding performance, defeating Libya 4-0. The goals were scored by Lahlou Akhreib (75' and 81'), Oussama Ben Attia (78'), and Mohamed El-Amin (85').
This win brought Algeria's total to 5 points, securing the fourth position, while Libya finished at the bottom without any points.
Video: Goals from the Algeria victory over Libya
Final Table
Games Played | Points | |
| 4 | 10 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 4 | 0 |
Significance of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is a pivotal tournament in African football, serving as a platform for young talents to showcase their skills on an international stage. Beyond continental glory, the competition offers teams the opportunity to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, making it a crucial event for player development and exposure.
Tournament atmosphere and competition
The qualifiers, structured as a single group comprising five teams, were marked by intense competition and high stakes. Morocco secured their qualification early, amassing 10 points to top the group. The battle for the second qualification spot remained fierce until the final round, culminating in Egypt's decisive victory over Tunisia.
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