Smith’s header fires South Africa past Nigeria into U-20 AFCON final

South Africa edged Nigeria 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash at the Suez Canal Stadium on Thursday to book a place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025.

A well-taken header by Tylon Smith in the 66th minute proved decisive in a fiercely contested match between two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.

The result also ends Nigeria’s hopes of winning a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title.

Nigeria, dominant for large spells in the second half, were made to rue missed opportunities, particularly in the final moments when South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe produced a string of saves to deny Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma.

The match began cautiously, with both sides probing without creating clear-cut chances.

Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku both had early efforts saved in a first half that ended goalless despite Nigeria’s superior attacking numbers.

The breakthrough came just after the hour mark. Neo Rapoo whipped in a corner from the right, and Smith rose highest to power home a header into the centre of the goal - his first of the tournament and arguably the most important yet for the Amajita.

Nigeria responded with urgency, making double substitutions in the 65th minute to inject pace and fresh energy into the attack.

Rickson Mendos and Bidemi Amole nearly made instant impacts, with both going close in a series of intense late assaults on the South African goal.

Ayuma had two excellent chances to level, including a diving header that was brilliantly saved by Lowe.

But South Africa's resolute defending and composed midfield play saw them through, stretching their unbeaten run at the Suez Canal Stadium to four games.

The win sees South Africa reach their second U-20 AFCON final, their first since 1997 when they finished as runners-up.

For Nigeria, it marks a third consecutive semi-final defeat in the tournament, having previously fallen to Gambia (2023) and Mali (2019).

South Africa’s run to the final has been built on solid defence and efficiency in front of goal.

Thursday's win also means they will head into the final with momentum, having now gone five matches unbeaten — their longest such streak in U-20 AFCON history.

With qualification to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup already secured, the Amajita will now turn their attention to winning their first continental title.

Twenty-eight years after their first TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON continental showdown in the final, Morocco and South Africa will meet once again in a repeat of the 1997 final when they clash on Sunday in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title decider Egypt.

That 1997 encounter ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Morocco, sealing their first and only TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON crown. Now, nearly three decades later, the Young Atlas Lions will be aiming to recapture that historic success, while South Africa are determined to turn the tables and claim their maiden continental title at this level.

Both teams punched their tickets to the final with gritty 1-0 wins in Thursday’s semi-finals.

After South Africa saw off Nigeria thanks to a header from Smith, Morocco overcame tournament hosts Egypt, courtesy of a composed finish from Jones El Abdellaoui.

Morocco have impressed with their defensive solidity and tactical cohesion, boasting a run of clean sheets in the knockout stages. Led by a confident backline and opportunistic forwards, they carry momentum and the weight of history into Sunday’s clash.

South Africa, meanwhile, have grown in strength as the tournament has progressed.

Their victory over a highly-rated Nigerian side was a statement of intent and coach Vela Khumalo’s charges will be desperate to lift the trophy that narrowly eluded them in 1997, just a year after their seniors lifted the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON on home soil.

With continental glory, pride, and redemption at stake, the final is poised to deliver a captivating battle between two nations with unfinished business on the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON stage.