Ismailia – South Africa’s U-20 national team has advanced to the final of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nigeria on Monday at the Suez Authority Stadium in Egypt.

The decisive goal came in the 66th minute, with Tylon Smith finding the net to give Bafana Bafana the crucial edge in a tense and closely contested semifinal.

With this victory, South Africa earns a place in the AFCON final, where they will face Morocco, who qualified earlier the same day after defeating Egypt 1-0.

Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s U-20 team has still secured qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, joining Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt. The global tournament is set to take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025.

The South African squad showcased solid defensive organization and clinical finishing to hold off a determined Nigerian team throughout the match.

As anticipation builds for the final, both Morocco and South Africa will be vying not only for the continental title, but also for the momentum heading into the U-20 World Cup later this year.