South Africa vs Morocco Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups, Team News | U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

South Africa vs Morocco Preview

• Tournament: U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025
• Date: Sunday, 18 May 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 18:00 PM GMT
• Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo

South Africa under-20 fights off against Morocco under-20 to reign supreme as the champions of the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, 18 May 2025 at 18:00 PM GMT. The South Africa vs Morocco clash will take place at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt.

South Africa have fought their way to reach the finale of the competition after having produced some sturdy results. They finished on top of their group with seven points from three games. After that, South Africa defeated DR Congo and Nigeria by slender margins to reach the finale of the competition for only the second time in their history.

Raymond Mdaka cannot let history repeat itself and will be determined that the South Africa U-20 side doesn't lose in the final like they did last time in 1997. He will need to get them to maintain full focus and keep a sturdy defensive line to frustrate Morocco. The South African players also must be smart and efficient with their attacking work to score key goals and get a big win.

Morocco have also had a similar pathway as South Africa to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations final, having topped their group by winning two of their three games. Unlike South Africa, they haven't lost a game yet, having won four of their five matches and defeating hosts Egypt in the semi-finals!

Mohamed Ouahbi will be eager to keep his side motivated and ready to pull off a repeat of the 1997 AFCON U-20 final by defeating South Africa in the finale again! He'll need his troops to be defensively secured and composed, but also for them to be ruthless in taking up whatever chances are created to clinch the trophy.

South Africa Team News

Raymond Mdaka is fortunate enough to have an entire squad of players available for the final. They avoided injuries with some smart performances in recent games. Moreover, no South African players is suspended either for this upcoming game.

Morocco Team News

Morocco have a pretty fit enough squad available for thhis finale as well. However, winger Yassir Zabiri remains a doubt for the game. He sustained an ankle injury recently and will need to pass a late fitness test to be fit for this.

South Africa vs Morocco Predicted Lineups

South Africa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Fletcher Lowe

Defenders: Sfiso Timba, Tylon Smith, Siviwe Nkwali, Thato Sibiya

Midfielders: Lazola Maku, Gomolemo Kekena, Kgomotso Bareng Madiba

Forwards: Kutlwano Letlhaku, Neo Rapoo, Thabang Mahlangu

Morocco Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Yanis Marty

Defenders: Hamza Koutoune, Ismael Baouf, Ismail Bakhty, Fouad Zahouani

Midfielders: Reda Laalaoui, Hossam Essadak, Saad El Haddad

Forwards: Othmane Maamma, Ilias Boumassaoudi, Jones El-Abdellaoui

South Africa vs Morocco Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have only met each other on two occasions in the past. Morocco Under-20 have defeated South Africa Under-20 on both occasions, which included defeating them in the 1997 U-20 AFCON finale too.

Key Players to Watch in South Africa vs Morocco

Thabang Mahlangu (South Africa)

Thabang Mahlangu has been an explosive figure for South Africa in the 2025 Under-20 AFCON, scoring three goals in the six matches for his side. He won three fouls in the semifinals and has been a menacing threat for the defenders all tournament long.

Mahlangu will be eager to trouble the Moroccan defenders with his clever movement and link-up play to try and disrupt their flow. He will also be tasked with getting into the perfect positions in the final third and finishing off chances clinically to raise his side's chances of winning the final.

Jones El-Abdellaoui (Morocco)

Jones El-Abdellaoui has been a real impact player for Morocco in the U-20 AFCON this year and has come up clutch whenever his side needed him. He's scored two goals so far, including a winning goal against Egypt in the semifinal.

He scored from his only shot on target against Egypt, having a 100% goal conversion rate. The Celta Vigo academy forward will look to trouble the South African defenders with his unpredictable work in the final third. He'll look to create chances with his innovative passes, but mostly get into the right areas and finish chances clinically to get his side over the line.

South Africa vs Morocco Prediction

Both these teams have had to grind their way to the final, relying on slender wins in the knockout stage games to get where they are right now. This should be an aggressive and eventful finale because of a desperation to win on both fronts, with this being their first meeting in such a big game since 1997.

South Africa have pushed hard to get where they are right now. However, the resilience of the Moroccan team and their slightly increased quality in the frontline should be enough to help get them over the line.

Predicted Score: South Africa 1-2 Morocco

Where to watch South Africa vs Morocco Live?