Africa was represented by the semi-finalists from the 2025 AFCON U-20 namely: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and the champions, South Africa

Morocco became an early qualifier from Group C after they beat two of the potential heavyweights in Spain and Brazil.

In their first outing they restricted the Spaniards’ passing game before stepping up to score two goals in the initial 15 minutes of the second period through Zabiri’s left foot strike and then Yassine’s conversion of a cross by Maama.

The Watford wide player was one of the standouts for his team although Yassine would get the Man of the Match accolade.

The Africans would go on to survive a penalty award after they successfully appealed the decision via the experimental/somewhat problematic green card review system.

Organisation and solidity certainly helped Morocco to this fine victory and they would go on to shock the usually outstanding Brazilians.

Again the stars were Maama, who hooked in a right cross on the hour, Zabiri, goalscorer again, goalie Benchaouch and the consistent Yassine.

The second match had followed a similar pattern with the Moroccans netting twice after the interval, although Brazil did get one back.

But there was less joy for Nigeria who came across a stubborn Norwegian team with captain Rasmus Holten marshalling their defence.

Nigeria’s best chances came at the start of each half, when Arierhi struck the bar and when the same man slid a ball just wide of the past.

Although Maigana had perhaps the best opportunity, but his left foot effort also found the woodwork.

Norway would score the only goal very early in the match after handball was given (via a review), and MOM Holten stepped up to score convincingly.

The Flying Eagles certainly had their moments but the northern European’s defence held firm, and survived a couple of green card reviews from coach Aliyu Zubair.

It was a chastening loss for the young Africans but they would go on to progress as the second best third-placed team following a 3-2 defeat of Saudi Arabia (thanks to Yum Yum’s Daniel Bameyi’s late strike) and a draw with Colombia (in which Bameyi converted the equalising spot kick)

 

Egypt had lost their first group match, going down 2-0 to Japan and hence needed a result when they faced New Zealand in Santiago.

And they started so well when Ahmed Kabaka scored inside the first five minutes.

But within ten minutes it was 2-1 to the young All Whites after a cross from Phoenix somehow found its way across the six yard area for an easy finish.

Similarly defender Xuan Loke had too much space to score the decisive second.

Those defensive lapses cost the Egyptians who pressed hard in the second half, especially through Mohamed Abdallah, but were generally thwarted by goalie Gray and his defenders.

The New Zealand goalie would get MOM, though not for his persistent time wasting.

It meant the Egyptians would need a small miracle to go further.

And they certainly did their best, beating hosts Chile thanks to a very late winner from Aston Villa’s Omar Khedr.

But those three points would not be enough to get into the best four third-placed positions and hence they exited the competition. 

Lastly, South Africa competed in Group E alongside USA, France, and New Caledonia.

Not surprisingly the South Pacific Islanders were the whipping boys with USA netting nine against them and France six.

Amajita eventually managed five, after the tall Siviwe Magidigidi scored a double and the lively Maku the clincher.

It was a group that saw the three main contenders go on to beat each other (South Africa overcame the USA in the final match) to leave those three sides on six points each.

Goal difference decided the outcome, gresulting in South Africa coming second and France third though both would qualify anyway.

Spain, despite their indifferent results, would also make it to the last 16 but Brazil’s departure would no doubt mean questions would be asked back home.

As for the hopes of the Africans going further, it is likely Nigeria will have a tough matchup against one of the favourites, Argentina, while Nigeria might fancy their chances versus Colombia, and similarly Morocco could well overcome South Korea.

However it would be quite a stretch if any of those three could emulate the only ever African FIFA U-20 World  Cup champion – Andre Ayew’s Ghana team from 2009. 

Report from Chile – John Bethell