Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa U20 Amajita arrive in egypt ahead of U20 AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa’s Amajita arrive in Egypt ahead of U20 AFCON

The South African U-20 team has arrived in Cairo to participate in the African Cup, set to begin on Sunday in Cairo and Ismailia.

The delegation arrived at Cairo Airport on Thursday morning to compete in the Africa Cup of Under-20, which runs from Sunday until May 18.

Thirteen teams will compete for the title, with the top four qualifying for the World Cup scheduled to take place in Chile between September and October 2025.

Under the guidance of Coach Raymond Madaka, the team is in the first group, and their campaign begins with an opening match against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening. They will also face Tanzania on April 30 at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia and Sierra Leone on May 6 at the new Suez Stadium. The group stage will conclude for Amajita with a match against Zambia on May 9 at the 30th of June Stadium in Air Defense.

The South African national team, known as “Amajita,” qualifies for the U-20 African Cup for the ninth time in its history. They secured their place by finishing the COSAFA regional qualifiers with three victories: defeating Malawi 5-0, Lesotho 6-0, and the Comoros Islands 2-0 in the group stage. They then advanced to the semi-finals, where they triumphed over Angola 1-0, and secured their spot in the final by outclassing Zambia 2-0.

Sierra Leone U20 depart for debut Cup of Nations in Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 depart for debut Cup of Nations in Egypt

Sierra Leone’s Africa Cup of Nations squad left for Egypt on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from Freetown, travelling through Guinea to Egypt for the prestigious CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, to make history.

Led by Administrative Head Benjamin Gordon and NSA’s Director of Operations Alie Sesay, the delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo in the early hours of Friday, ready to shine on the continental stage.

Our young lions will kick off their AFCON journey on April 27—Sierra Leone’s Independence Day—against Zambia in a match that promises excitement, skill, and a strong national spirit.

This is more than just a team; it represents a movement. A new generation is carrying the dreams of millions, determined to make their mark and proudly fly the green, white, and blue!

Mamadou Wurie Jalloh Brøndby IF’s U19 team, Defender Alpha Turay FK Dubocica Leskovac, Abraham Kanu Reading League One, Osman Kamara Arsenal U21, Kevin Kargbo Wimbledon U18, Alpha Kabia Minnesota United, Abdul Bangura and Mohamed Bai Kamara from the Latvian club K Metta are named as p[art of foreign-based players in the squad.

Sierra Leone road to Egypt U20 AFCON

Sierra Leone secured their place at the TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON 2025 as the runners-up in the WAFU Zone A Championship.

Under the leadership of captain and star striker Momoh Kamara, the Shooting Stars delivered an impressive performance, defeating Guinea-Bissau, hosts Liberia, and The Gambia on their way to the final.

Although they ultimately lost to Senegal, their overall performance throughout the tournament showcased resilience, attacking flair, and tactical maturity, earning them a well-deserved spot in their first-ever U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Beat Egypt Team in Cairo pre-U20 Afcon friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Beat Egypt in Cairo Pre-U20 Afcon friendly

On Tuesday, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated Egypt’s Young Pharaohs 2-1 in a pre-Cup of Nations friendly match held at the Cairo International Stadium. Goals from Kparobo Arierhi and Precious Benjamin ensured a strong victory for Nigeria’s U20 team in Cairo. (Photo Credit EFA)

Kparobo Arierhi scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 10th minute, after being assisted by Bidemi Amole. Egypt responded with a goal from Ahmed Kaabaka in the 65th minute. However, Nigeria took the lead again with a penalty goal from Precious Benjamin in the 83rd minute, after Divine Oliseh was fouled in the box.

This victory gives the Flying Eagles a confidence boost as they prepare to face Tunisia in their first match on Thursday. They will also compete against Morocco and Kenya in Group B.

Egypt, the host team in Group A, will play against South Africa on Sunday, followed by matches against Sierra Leone on April 30, Zambia on May 3, and Tanzania on May 9.

Nine foreign-based in Sierra Leone AFCON U20 squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine foreign-based in Sierra Leone AFCON U20 squad

Defender Alpha Turay, who played a key role in both of Leone Stars’ World Cup qualifying matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt, is one of nine foreign players selected for Sierra Leone’s U20 squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara has announced a squad of 26 players, including nine foreign-based as Sierra Leone will begin their AFCON U20 campaign against Zambia on April 27, followed by a match against the hosts, Egypt, on April 30.

 The team departs for Egypt on Wednesday, April 23 ahead of their first group match on Sunday April 27. Notable players included in the squad are Mamadou Wurie Jalloh, the goalkeeper from Brøndby IF’s U19 team; Alpha Kabia, a rising midfield talent who recently joined Major League Soccer with Minnesota United FC; and the dynamic midfield duo and strong defenders, Abdul Bangura and Mohamed Bai Kamara, who hail from the Latvian club K Metta.

The biennial African international youth football tournament will take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, 2025, with Senegal as the defending champions.

Sierra Leone road to Egypt U20 AFCON

Sierra Leone secured their place at the TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON 2025 as the runners-up in the WAFU Zone A Championship.

Under the leadership of captain and star striker Momoh Kamara, the Shooting Stars delivered an impressive performance, defeating Guinea-Bissau, hosts Liberia, and The Gambia on their way to the final.

Although they ultimately lost to Senegal, their overall performance throughout the tournament showcased resilience, attacking flair, and tactical maturity, earning them a well-deserved spot in their first-ever U-20 AFCON.

See attached full list of Sierra Leone U20 AFCON Squad
See attached full list of Sierra Leone U20 AFCON Squad
Mathews Banda confident of U20 World Cup qualification
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Boyd Mulwanda names five foreign-based to Zambia U20 Cup of Nations squad

Zambia Under-20 men’s coach Boyd Mulwanda has announced his final 25-member squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies Egypt Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament, which begins this week.

The team departed on a Fly Emirates flight at 21:35 hours, connecting via Dubai, and to arrive in Cairo at around 08:10 hours.

Joseph Sabobo Banda, who is based in Switzerland, leads a group of five other foreign-based players: Joseph Liteta, Frank Chileshe, Andrew Mulenga, Bonephanseo Phiri, and Aaron Mbemba, who will travel directly to Cairo.

Zambia to compete in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania for the tournament, scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18.

Goalkeepers Levison Banda (Zesco), Eric Makungu (Chirundu Leopards) and Mapalo Chitundu (Kansanshi Dynamos).

Defenders are Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Mathews Banda (Nkana), David Hamasenya (Leganes), Samson Ngulube (Kafue Celtic) Milimo Nalumango (Dusseldof FC) Charles Buyoya (Kafue Celtic) and Whiteson Banda (Napsa).

Midfielders are Aaron Mbemba (Cardiz FC), Frank Chileshe (Locomotive Tigilis), David Simukonda, Pascal Phiri (both Zesco), Perkin Mumba Mwale (Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Mutale (Nkana), Elvis Mutale (Kafue Celtic), and Obvious Mwaliteta (Aguila).

Strikers are Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich), Andrew Mulenga (Portal Vitoria FC Brazil), Bonephanseo Phiri (Lokomotiv Tibilisi), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari FC), Danny Bwalya (both Nchanga Rangers) and Philimon Chilimina (Green Buffaloes).

Groups for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025

  • Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
  • Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco
  • Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

The four highest-performing teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, which will take place from September 27 to October 19