COSAFA representatives South Africa draw European powerhouse France, USA and New Caledonia at FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 – Maravi Express

June 6, 2025

* Nigeria — Africa’s most experienced nation at this level with 14 appearances — drawn alongside Colombia, Norway and Saudi Arabia

* North African duo Egypt and Morocco complete the continent’s representation at the 24-team tournament to kick off from September 27 to October 19

Maravi Express

South Africa — the only representatives of the Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) at the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 — have been drawn alongside USA, New Caledonia and European powerhouse France.

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The other African representatives at the 24-team tournament — to kick off from September 27 to October 19 are Nigeria — Africa’s most experienced nation at this level with 14 appearances alongside north African duo, Egypt and Morocco.

Nigeria were drawn in Group F alongside Colombia, Norway and Saudi Arabia; Egypt in Group A along with hosts Chile, Japan and New Zealand; and Morocco with three-time champions Brazil, Mexico, and Spain in Group C.

Fresh from lifting their maiden continental title at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) last month, the COSAFA side South Africa were handed a stern challenge in Group E in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most intriguing groups.

For Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, they will be eyeing a deep run as they aim to recapture the form that has previously taken them to two final matches.

The Pharaohs will hope to make an early statement against a formidable Chilean side buoyed by home support while Morocco’s most stumbling block are the three-time champions, Brazil — with Mexico and Spain making their group a tough section for the North Africans, who will be banking on the defensive solidity and attacking flair that saw them reach the final of the U-20 AfCON in Cairo.

To be played across four host cities — Santiago, Rancagua, Talca and Valparaiso — the top two teams from each group and four best third-placed sides will advance to the knockout stage.

African eyes will now turn toward preparations, as the continent’s finest young talents gear up to shine on the global stage.

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The four African representatives qualified for the global U20 after they all reached the semifinals of the CAF U-20 AfCON in Egypt — earning their place through grit, drama, and high-stakes football in one of the continent’s most competitive youth tournaments in recent memory.

South Africa squeezed past DR Congo 1-0 in their quarter-final, thanks to Thabang Mahlangu’s decisive goal in Cairo; Nigeria, record U-20 AfCON champions, knocked out defending title holders Senegal 5-4 in post match penalty shootout; hosts Egypt edged Ghana in a tense quarter-final that ended 2-2 after extra time before the Pharaohs triumphed 5-4 on penalties in Suez; while Morocco needed an extra-time own goal to see off tournament debutants Sierra Leone 1-0.

Their progression ensures that Africa will be strongly represented in Chile with a blend of traditional powerhouses and resurging contenders.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 will feature six groups of four teams — with the top top two from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, moving on to the Round of 16 straight knockout path to the final. It marks the 24th edition of the tournament that has launched the careers of global superstars.

The inclusion of these four African sides, each with their own ambitions and unique styles, adds flavour to what promises to be an unforgettable tournament in Chile.

South Africa won their maiden CAF U-20 AfCON title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt through Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning second-half strike.

The COSAFA side claimed the trophy and rewrote history by overcoming a North African opponent in the tournament for the first time — and that is not all — they swept key individual awards as Player of the Tournament went to Tylon Smith, Best Goalkeeper to Fletcher Lowe while Raymond Mdaka was named Best Coach.

Tylon Smith and Fletcher Lowe were also named in Best XI of the Tournament alongside teammates, Neo Rapoo and Lazola Maku.

Morocco contributed four players in the Best XI – Othmane Maamma, Hossam Essadak, Hamza Koutoune and Faycal Zahouani — alongside tournament Top Scorer, Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara; Egypt’s Mohamed Goweily and Nigeria’s Daniel Bameyi.

Tylon Smith was named Best Player following his pivotal role in guiding the Amajita to their first-ever continental title as the 19-year-old defender delivered consistently influential performances throughout the tournament and was instrumental in the 1-0 victory over Morocco.

Taylon, known for his composure, creativity, and ability to dictate the tempo from defence, scored the crucial semi-final winner against Nigeria and proved vital in linking midfield and attack across the campaign.

Goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was named Best Goalkeeper after keeping four clean sheets and recording the highest number of saves (24). His composure and reflexes were on full display in the final, where he denied Morocco on several occasions to preserve South Africa’s slim lead.

Runners-up Morocco, were honoured with the Fair Play Award for their discipline and sportsmanship throughout the tournament and ompleted the elite lineup.

The participating teams at the tournament were Egypt (hosts), Senegal (defending champions), Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, DR Congo and Central African Republic

Nigeria are record seven-time winners at this level while Ghana have four titles, Egypt three, Morocco once (1997), while Sierra Leone and Kenya were making historic first appearances.