* As South Africa seek consistency against DR Congo, who look to upset the while Morocco are wary of fearless Sierra Leone
* Regular combatants at the CAF U20 AfCON Ghana and Egypt face each other — marking their seventh meeting
Maravi Express
Defending champions Senegal face seven-time winners Nigeria in blockbuster CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) quarterfinal clash at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia tomorrow.
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The other quarterfinal matches are between South Africa and DR Congo; Morocco up against fearless Sierra Leone and regular combatants at the CAF U20 AfCON — Ghana and Egypt, who are marking their seventh meeting against each other.
The match between Nigeria and Senegal is a meeting between two of the most storied sides in the competition’s history and but both arrive at this stage with question marks despite their pedigree.
Nigeria were unbeaten in group stage, but their form has been patchy. The Flying Eagles opened with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisia, then shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Morocco before being held 2-2 by an already eliminated Kenya.
That unexpected slip against Kenya — after initially leading — has raised doubts about the team’s defensive discipline and focus.
The teams previously met at the finals in 2015 and 2023. In 2015, they faced off twice – in the group stage and the final – both matches won by Nigeria. In 2023, Senegal edged Nigeria 1-0 in their opening group game.
Overall, Nigeria have two wins from their three previous encounters, while Senegal have one. Each time these teams have met at the tournament, the winner has gone on to claim the title.
Nigeria defeated Senegal 3-1 in the 2015 group stage and went on to meet again in the final in which Nigeria secured the seventh title with a 1-0 win while in 2023, Senegal began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Nigeria and eventually won the tournament.
This will be the fourth time Nigeria face defending champions in the tournament’s history. Previously, they lost 4-1 to Ghana in the 2001 group stage, beat them 2-1 in 2011, and defeated Egypt 2-0 in the 2005 final.
On both occasions when they beat the defending champions (2005 and 2011), Nigeria went on to win the title.
Nigeria have struggled recently against fellow West African teams, losing 1-0 to both Senegal (group stage) and Gambia (semi-final) in 2023, and to Mali on penalties in the 2019 semi-finals following a 1-1 draw. Their last win against a West African opponent came in a 1-0 victory over Niger in 2019.
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Senegal, on the other hand, were unbeaten in eight matches against West African opposition before losing 1-0 to Ghana in their second group match of the current tournament (W7 D1).
Both teams have scored just three goals in their three group matches. Nigeria’s shot conversion rate stands at 10%, while Senegal’s is slightly lower at 7.89%. Among all quarter-finalists, only Egypt have a lower rate (7.14%).
Meanwhile, South Africa seek consistency against DR Congo, who look to upset the odds.Despite finishing top of Group A, South Africa’s campaign has raised more questions than answers.
The Amajita suffered a 1-0 defeat to hosts Egypt in their opener, bounced back emphatically with a 4-1 thrashing of Sierra Leone, but then stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Zambia.
They ultimately finished level on points with both Egypt and Sierra Leone, advancing on goal difference.
Coach Raymond Ndaka’s side have shown glimpses of brilliance — particularly through Thabang Mahlangu, who has netted twice — but will need greater consistency and defensive stability against a DR Congo side that can be dangerous when underestimated.
DR Congo, returning to the tournament for the first time in over a decade, sneaked into the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams. Their journey has been marked by promise and vulnerability.
They began brightly, holding Ghana to a 1-1 draw before producing a convincing 3-1 win over the Central African Republic. But a 2-0 loss to Senegal, in which they conceded two penalties, exposed their lack of experience at this level.
Historically, South Africa have been solid performers at youth level, reaching the semi-finals of the U20 AFCON three times since 2009. DR Congo, meanwhile, are looking to reach the last four for the first time.
The tie is likely to come down to whether South Africa can rediscover the attacking verve they showed against Sierra Leone, and whether DR Congo can stay organised and disciplined under pressure.
Ghana and Egypt have been regular combatants at the CAF U-20 AfCON and this marks their seventh meeting at the finals with both nations having won three of their previous six encounters, with one victory each coming via penalties.
In 1991, Egypt, as hosts, defeated Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals and went on to win their second title. Ghana responded two years later, overcoming Egypt 3-1 in the semi-finals before claiming their first championship.
The teams met again in the 1997 group stage, where Ghana secured a 1-0 win and advanced alongside Morocco, while Egypt was eliminated.
In the 2001 semi-finals, Ghana triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw, eventually finishing as runners-up. Egypt earned a 2-1 group stage win over Ghana in 2013, with both sides progressing.
They met again in the final, which ended 1-1, with Egypt winning the penalty shootout 5-4 to lift the title.
On three occasions – 1991, 1993, and 2013 – the winner of this fixture went on to win the tournament. Only once, in 1997, have they met before the final and neither side reached it. In all other pre-final meetings, at least one of the two progressed to the final.
Group stage leaders Morocco will face tournament debutants Sierra Leone in the other quarter-final in Cairo, in what promises to be a compelling battle between pedigree and momentum.
The North African giants cruised through the group stage unbeaten, finishing top of Group B with seven points. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s men began their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Kenya, held Nigeria to a goalless draw, and ended with an impressive 3-1 victory over Tunisia.
Despite injury setbacks to key players like defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal and forward Yassir Zabiri, the Atlas Cubs have shown depth and maturity. Zabiri, who managed two goals before picking up a knock, could be crucial if passed fit.
Morocco are aiming to return to the final for the first time since 2005 and look like one of the most balanced sides in the tournament.
However, their opponents, Sierra Leone, have quickly become the story of the tournament. In their maiden U20 AfCON appearance, the Shooting Stars have already turned heads.
After a narrow opening loss to South Africa (4-1), they shocked hosts Egypt with a stunning 4-1 win and advanced following a draw against Zambia.
The standout performer has been Momoh Kamara, the tournament’s top scorer so far with four goals. His powerful runs and clinical finishing have been central to Sierra Leone’s historic run, and Morocco will need to find a way to contain him.
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Coach Osman Kamara’s side may lack tournament experience, but they make up for it with energy, belief, and fearless attacking intent. Their tactical flexibility and fast transitions have caused problems for every team they’ve faced.
The two sides have never met at this level before, but Morocco will know better than to underestimate a team that thrashed the host nation and has nothing to lose.
The pressure will be on the Atlas Cubs to deliver, while Sierra Leone can continue to ride their wave of belief.—Content by CAFonline; edited by Maravi Express
