Amajita down Morocco to clinch first ever AFCON title

South African Under-20 men’s team beat Morocco 1-0 to claim the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title for the first time in history.

Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal of the match in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations final played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday night.

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Amajita goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe was the busier of the goalkeepers in the first half, but he produced some great saves to deny Illias Boumassaoudi in the 21st minute and then Mouad Dahak three minutes later.

It was the South Africans, however, that had the first crack at goal through Jody Ah Shene who pounced on a loose pass in the third minute, but Yanis Benchaouch did well to make a good save. 

Kekana tried his luck from range on the half-hour mark, but his shot went wide of goal.

Smythe-Lowe was called into action again in the 43rd minute, but the young goalkeeper did well to make a save to deny Jones El Abdellaoui.

The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break.

Amajita started the second half the better of the sides and it did not come as a surprise when they took the lead in the 70th minute through Kekana.

Following a long clearance from Smythe-Lowe the ball landed on the path of Kekana who composed himself before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Benchaouch hands down.

Othmane Maamma wasted a great chance to grab the equaliser for Morocco in the 83rd minute, but his header went wide of goal.

Shakeel April had a chance to wrap the game up for Amajita in the 88th minute when he outpaced the Moroccan defender, but was denied by Benchaouch.

Earlier in the evening, Nigeria clinched the bronze medal after beating hosts Egypt in penalty shootout. The game had to be decided on penalties after it ended 1-1 in regulation time.