CAIRO — Egypt will come up against South Africa in the first-round qualifiers for the 2025 African Nations Championships to be held in August, the CAF announced.
The winner of the matchup will face either Malawi or Comoros in the second qualification round.
The Pharaohs and South Africa are already set to meet at African football’s biggest tournament, AFCON, to be hosted by Morocco in December.
Algeria, Gabon and Gambia are also competing for the final two qualification spots in the tournament.
The CAF, meanwhile, conducted the Final Draw for the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The tournament, set to take place from April 26 to May 18, will feature 13 teams competing for continental glory and four qualification spots for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025.
The draw produced exciting group stage fixtures, with heavyweight clashes expected from the opening rounds as record title holders Nigeria were among three former winners placed in the same group.
The Flying Eagles will play in Group B where they will face former champions Egypt and Morocco as well as South Africa.
In Group A, hosts Côte d’Ivoire will take on DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a second representative from the UNIFFAC region, making it one of the most competitive groups.
Group C sees Senegal begin their title defence against Zambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone, promising another fiercely contested group.
The CAF U-20 AFCON 2025 will follow a three-group format, with Group A containing five teams, while Groups B and C each feature four teams.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams. From there, the tournament will proceed in a knockout format, culminating in the final on May 18.
Additionally, the four semi-finalists will book their place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 later this year, continuing Africa’s proud tradition of excellence on the world stage.
Senegal, the defending champions, are chasing a second title after winning in Egypt 2023. However, they will face stiff competition from Nigeria, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with seven titles (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015).
Ghana, another continental powerhouse, will look to reclaim the title, having won it four times and making history in 2009 by becoming the first and only African team to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Egypt, Morocco, and Zambia, all former champions, will also be looking to make an impact, while Côte d’Ivoire aims to shine on home soil.
