South Africa were crowned champions of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history after edging past Morocco with a 1-0 victory in a tense final on Sunday night at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.

A brilliant 70th-minute strike from Gomolemo Kekana settled the contest, securing not only the title but also South Africa’s first-ever win against a North African opponent in the competition’s history.

The decisive moment arrived when Kekana picked up a loose ball outside the box and unleashed a spectacular right-footed shot into the top corner. The goal stood after a brief VAR check and proved the difference in a closely contested match defined by tactical discipline and defensive resilience.

Morocco started the brighter of the two sides, creating early chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe stood firm, continuing his outstanding form with another assured performance between the posts.

South Africa, who had bounced back strongly after a group-stage defeat to hosts Egypt, gradually found their rhythm. While Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had moments of promise, the teams went into the break goalless.

Morocco pressed for a breakthrough in the second half, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal going close, but wasteful finishing and resolute South African defending denied them. Following Kekana’s goal, defenders Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba led a well-organised rearguard effort to repel Morocco’s late surge.

The victory marks a historic milestone for South African football. It not only avenges their defeat to Morocco in the 1997 final but also makes them the 12th nation to win the U-20 AFCON title. It follows a growing trend of new champions emerging, after Senegal’s first triumph in 2023.

South Africa’s triumph also ended a run of five straight defeats to North African sides in the competition — all previously lost by a single-goal margin. Their success was built on a solid defensive foundation, with Lowe finishing the tournament with the highest number of saves (30).

Despite scoring just nine goals throughout the campaign, South Africa’s clinical edge in key moments — against DR Congo, Nigeria, and Morocco — proved decisive.

For Morocco, the defeat ended a 14-match unbeaten streak in U-20 AFCON open play. It was their first loss of the tournament and a bitter blow in their quest to secure a second continental title.