Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, inaugurated on Sunday evening, April 27, 2025, the 17th edition of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which Egypt will host organized by United Sports, from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

This comes after Côte d'Ivoire withdrew from hosting the tournament.

The Opening Ceremony

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi said: "Egypt's hosting of this edition of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations confirms Egypt's leading position in hosting and organizing major sporting events." The Minister of Sports added, "This tournament represents a real opportunity to discover future stars, not only for Egyptian football, but for African football as a whole. Egypt continues to strengthen its continental leadership by hosting major tournaments and organizing them to the highest international standards."

Dr. Ashraf Sobhi emphasized that Egypt's hosting of this tournament falls within the framework of the Egyptian state's general policy of sponsoring and supporting youth and sports, noting the political leadership's commitment to providing all necessary facilities for the success of continental and international sporting events.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhi thanked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its confidence in Egypt's organizational capabilities, emphasizing the Egyptian state's commitment to providing all means for the success of this tournament.

The Minister of Sports expressed his best wishes to all participating teams, expressing his hope that the tournament will be held in a manner befitting Egypt's continental and global standing.

Following the opening ceremony, the Minister of Youth and Sports attended the opening match of the tournament, which pitted the Egyptian national team against its South African counterpart, amidst a large crowd.

About the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025

The tournament will be held at three stadiums in Cairo, Ismailia, and Suez. It is of great importance as it serves as a qualifier for the U-20 World Cup, scheduled for next September in Chile. The top teams will qualify for the World Cup, giving the competition a decisive edge.

The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will feature 13 teams, including host Egypt, divided into three groups: Group A includes five teams, and Group B and C include four teams.

The draw placed Egypt in Group A of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which included five teams, including the Pharaohs, along with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania. Egypt topped Group A as the host nation, while Senegal topped Group B as the defending champions, and Nigeria topped Group C as the third-place finisher in the 2023 edition.

The draw for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations was as follows:

Group A: Egypt - Zambia - Sierra Leone - South Africa - Tanzania.

Group B: Nigeria - Tunisia - Kenya - Morocco.

Group C: Senegal - Central African Republic - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Ghana.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, advance to the quarter-finals, with the tournament set to conclude on May 18.

Four teams from the tournament will qualify for the World Cup finals in Chile, which will be held from September 27 to October 19, with the participation of 24 teams.

The Egyptian U-20 national team, born in 2005, continues its serious preparations under the leadership of coach Osama Nabih for the tournament.

The Egyptian U-20 national team will open its campaign in the tournament with a strong match against South Africa in the first round of the group stage on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Cairo International Stadium.

The match will be broadcast exclusively on beIN Sports, the official broadcaster of the tournament in the Middle East and North Africa.

Match Results

Sunday: April 27, 2025

The Egyptian U-20 national team, led by Osama Nabih, achieved an important 1-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Egypt. Mohamed Abdullah scored in the 62nd minute, placing Egypt top of their group with 3 points, while South Africa finished fifth with no points.

The Zambian U-20 national team drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in the first round of Group A of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, held at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.

Sierra Leone and Zambia are in Egypt's group, which also includes South Africa and Tanzania.

The match was intense, with few chances on goal, but neither side produced any significant scoring opportunities.

With this result, both teams earned a point at the start of their campaign.

Wednesday: April 30, 2025

The Egyptian U-20 national team suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sierra Leone in a match held at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, as part of the second round of Group A matches in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, qualifying for the World Cup in Chile.

The South African U-20 national team defeated Tanzania 1-0 in a match held at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.

Saturday: May 3, 2025

The Egyptian national team drew 0-0 with Zambia in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Egyptian national team faced Zambia in the third round of group matches in the Africa Cup of Nations currently being held in Egypt.

With this result, Egypt's position in its group at the Africa Cup of Nations remains complicated, as it sits in second place with 4 points from a win, a loss, and a draw today.

Egypt won their first match against South Africa 1-0 and lost their second match against Sierra Leone 4-1.

The third round of Group A matches opened with Sierra Leone facing Tanzania, with Sierra Leone winning 1-0.

Sierra Leone thus continues to lead Group A with 7 points from two wins and a draw.

Friday: May 9, 2025

Egypt defeats Tanzania and advances to the quarterfinals of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations

The Egyptian U-20 national team qualified for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tanzania 1-0 in the final group stage match of the tournament.

The Pharaohs clinched the qualification spot awarded to the best third-place finishers in the three groups, becoming the last team to officially qualify for the quarter-finals after finishing third in Group A behind South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Ahmed Sharaf scored the winning goal for Egypt in the seventh minute, receiving a through ball and shooting into the net. The goalkeeper parried the ball, but Sharaf's shot rebounded back to him, allowing him to score.

Egypt advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament and will face Ghana next Monday at Suez Stadium.

Monday: May 12, 2025

The U-20 national team qualifies for the World Cup and reaches the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the ninth time in its history

The Egyptian U-20 national team qualified for the U-20 World Cup finals for the ninth time in its history and booked a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Egyptian U-20 national team defeated Ghana 5-4 on penalties after the match ended in a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. The team continues its journey in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, seeking its fifth title.

Thursday: May 15, 2025

The Moroccan U-20 national team defeated Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Air Defense Stadium.

Jonas El Abdellaoui scored Morocco's goal in the 77th minute.

Morocco will now meet South Africa in the final, after South Africa successfully overcame Nigeria 1-0 in the semi-final on Thursday.

Egypt faces Nigeria for third place

The Egyptian youth team will meet Nigeria in the third-place match, scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM.