2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

The 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification is a men's under-20 football competition that decides the participating teams of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Tournament details
Host countriesEgypt (North Zone)
Liberia (West A Zone)
Togo (West B Zone)
Congo (Central Zone)
Tanzania (Central-East Zone)
Mozambique (South Zone)
Dates15 September – 26 November
Teams48
Tournament statistics
Matches played79
Goals scored228 (2.89 per match)
2023
2027
All statistics correct as of 20 November 2024.

Players born on 1 January 2005 or later are eligible to participate in the competition. A total of twelve teams will qualify to play in the final tournament.[1][2][3]

Teams

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Zone Spots Teams entering qualification Did not enter
North Zone
(UNAF)
2 spots
West A Zone
(WAFU-UFOA A)
2 spots
West B Zone
(WAFU-UFOA B)
2 spots
Central Zone
(UNIFFAC)
2 spots
Central-East Zone
(CECAFA)
2 spots
South Zone
(COSAFA)
2 spots
Notes
  • Teams in bold qualified for the final tournament.
  • (W): Withdrew after draw

North Zone

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The 2024 UNAF U-20 Tournament, which also serves as the qualifiers for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, will take place between 14 and 26 November in Egypt. The five teams will be placed in one group, with the winner and the runner-up qualifying for the final tournament.

All times are local, EST, CAT (UTC+2).

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Morocco 4 3 1 0 9 3 +6 10 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
2   Egypt (H) 4 2 1 1 5 4 +1 7
3   Tunisia 4 2 0 2 5 5 0 6
4   Algeria 4 1 2 1 7 4 +3 5
5   Libya 4 0 0 4 2 12 −10 0
Source: UNAF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(H) Hosts
Libya  1–2  Tunisia
  • Omar Al Harak   40'
  • Sadek Mahmoud   21'
  • Youssef Becha   87' (pen.)
Morocco  2–1  Egypt
  • Mahamed El Bana   50'

Tunisia  1–2  Morocco
  • Khalil Ayari   1'
  • Mouad Dahak   49'
  • Reda Laalaoui   72'
Algeria  1–1  Egypt
  • Kohili Benahmed   86' (pen.)

Libya  1–2  Egypt
  • Abdulaziz Mansour   77'
Algeria  1–1  Morocco
  • Mohamed Zeghadi   14'
  • Yassir Zabiri   86'

Tunisia  2–1  Algeria
  • Issam Abdelhamid Naïm   76' (o.g.)
  • Amanallah Mehrezi   90+6'
  • Islam Abbes   81'
Morocco  4–0  Libya
  • Mouad Dahak   27' (pen.)
  • Naoufel El Hannach   45+3'
  • Ayman Arguigue   53'
  • Saad El Haddad   72'

Algeria  4–0  Libya
  • Lahlou Akhrib   75', 80'
  • Oussama Benattia   78'
  • Mohamed Ramdaoui   84'
Egypt  1–0  Tunisia

West A Zone

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The WAFU-UFOA Zone A qualifiers for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations were hosted by Liberia with the matches played between 15 and 28 September 2024. The matches were played at Monrovia, Liberia.

Group stage

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The eight teams were drawn into two groups of four teams. The winners and the runners-up of each group advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Sierra Leone 3 2 1 0 4 1 +3 7 Semi-finals
2   Guinea 3 1 2 0 4 2 +2 5
3   Liberia (H) 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 4
4   Guinea-Bissau 3 0 0 3 1 5 −4 0
Source: CAF
(H) Hosts
Liberia  1–0  Guinea-Bissau
Report
Guinea  0–0  Sierra Leone
Report

Guinea-Bissau  1–3  Guinea
Report
Sierra Leone  3–1  Liberia
Report

Liberia  1–1  Guinea
Report
Guinea-Bissau  0–1  Sierra Leone
Report

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Senegal 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 4 Semi-finals
2   Gambia 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
3   Mali 2 0 1 1 0 2 −2 1
Source: CAF

  Mauritania was also drawn into this group, but withdrew before playing.[4]

Senegal  2–0  Mali
Report

Gambia  2–2  Senegal
Report

Mali  0–0  Gambia
Report

Knockout stage

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Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
25 September – Monrovia
 
 
  Sierra Leone3
 
28 September – Monrovia
 
  Gambia0
 
  Sierra Leone0
 
25 September – Monrovia
 
  Senegal2
 
  Senegal2
 
 
  Guinea0
 
Third place play-off
 
 
28 September – Monrovia
 
 
  Gambia3
 
 
  Guinea0

Semi-finals

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Winners qualified for 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sierra Leone  3–0  Gambia
Report

Senegal  2–0  Guinea
Report

Third place play-off

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Gambia  3–0  Guinea

Final

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Sierra Leone  0–2  Senegal
Report

West B Zone

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The WAFU-UFOA Zone B qualifiers for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations were hosted by Togo with the matches played between 17 and 30 October 2024. The matches were played at Lomé, Togo. The draw was announced on 26 September 2024.

Group stage

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The seven teams were drawn into two groups of three and four teams. The winners and the runners-up of each group advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Ghana 3 1 2 0 5 3 +2 5 Semi-finals
2   Niger 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 4
3   Togo (H) 3 0 3 0 3 3 0 3
4   Benin 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
Source: Zone Ouest B
(H) Hosts
Togo  2–2  Niger
Report
Ghana  2–2  Benin
Report

Niger  0–2  Ghana
Report
Benin  0–0  Togo
Report

Togo  1–1  Ghana
Report
Niger  1–0  Benin
Report

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 Semi-finals
2   Ivory Coast 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3   Burkina Faso 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Source: Zone Ouest B
Nigeria  0–1  Burkina Faso
Report

Burkina Faso  0–1  Ivory Coast
Report

Ivory Coast  1–2  Nigeria
Report

Knockout stage

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Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
27 October – Lomé
 
 
  Ghana2
 
30 October – Lomé
 
  Ivory Coast1
 
  Ghana1
 
27 October – Lomé
 
  Nigeria2
 
  Nigeria3
 
 
  Niger1
 
Third place play-off
 
 
30 October – Lomé
 
 
  Ivory Coast2
 
 
  Niger1

Semi-finals

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Winners qualified for 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana  2–1  Ivory Coast
Report

Nigeria  3–1  Niger
Report

Third place play-off

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Ivory Coast  2–1  Niger
Report

Final

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Ghana  1–2  Nigeria
Report

Central Zone

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The UNIFFAC qualifiers for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations were hosted by Congo with the matches played between 24 September and 3 October 2024. The matches were played at Brazzaville, Congo.

Group stage

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The seven teams were drawn into two groups of four and three teams. The winners and the runners-up of each group advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Congo (H) 2 2 0 0 3 0 +3 6 Semi-finals
2   DR Congo 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 3
3   Equatorial Guinea 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0
Source: CAF
(H) Hosts

  Chad was also drawn into this group, but withdrew before playing.

Congo  1–0  DR Congo
Report

Equatorial Guinea  0–2  Congo
Report

DR Congo  3–1  Equatorial Guinea

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Cameroon 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 6 Semi-finals
2   Central African Republic 2 1 0 1 2 5 −3 3
3   Gabon 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3 0
Source: CAF
Central African Republic  2–1  Gabon
Report

Cameroon  4–0  Central African Republic
Report

Gabon  1–3  Cameroon

Knockout stage

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Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
1 October –
 
 
  Congo2
 
3 October –
 
  Central African Republic0
 
  Congo1
 
1 October -
 
  DR Congo2
 
  Cameroon 1 (3)
 
 
  DR Congo (p)1 (4)
 

Semi-finals

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Winners qualified for 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Congo  2–0  Central African Republic

Cameroon  1–1  DR Congo
Penalties
3–4

Final

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Congo  1–2  DR Congo

Central-East Zone

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The CECAFA qualifiers for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations were hosted by Tanzania between 6 and 20 October 2024.

All times are local, EAT (UTC+3).

Group stage

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The nine teams were drawn into two groups of four and five teams. The winners and the runners-up of each group advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Kenya 4 3 1 0 10 1 +9 10 Semi-finals
2   Tanzania (H) 4 3 0 1 12 2 +10 9
3   Sudan 4 2 0 2 4 6 −2 6
4   Rwanda 4 1 1 2 5 5 0 4
5   Djibouti 4 0 0 4 2 19 −17 0
Source: [citation needed]
(H) Hosts
Tanzania  1–2  Kenya
Sudan  3–1  Djibouti

Tanzania  7–0  Djibouti
Sudan  1–0  Rwanda

Rwanda  0–0  Kenya
Tanzania  1–0  Sudan

Djibouti  0–4  Kenya
Tanzania  3–0  Rwanda

Rwanda  5–1  Djibouti
Sudan  0–4  Kenya

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Uganda 3 2 1 0 9 3 +6 7 Semi-finals
2   Burundi 3 2 0 1 5 6 −1 6
3   South Sudan 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
4   Ethiopia 3 0 0 3 3 8 −5 0
Source: [citation needed]
South Sudan  0–1  Burundi
Uganda  3–0  Ethiopia

Uganda  4–1  Burundi
South Sudan  2–1  Ethiopia

Burundi  3–2  Ethiopia
Uganda  2–2  South Sudan

Knockout stage

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Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
18 October –
 
 
  Uganda1
 
20 October –
 
  Tanzania (a.e.t.)2
 
  Tanzania2
 
18 October –
 
  Kenya1
 
  Kenya4
 
 
  Burundi0
 
Third place play-off
 
 
20 October –
 
 
  Uganda3
 
 
  Burundi1

Semi-finals

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Winners qualified for 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Uganda  1–2 (a.e.t.)  Tanzania

Kenya  4–0  Burundi

Third place play-off

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Uganda  3–1  Burundi

Final

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Tanzania  2–1  Kenya

South Zone

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Group stage

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Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Zimbabwe 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 7 Semi-finals
2   Botswana 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3   Eswatini 3 1 1 1 5 7 −2 4
4   Mozambique (H) 3 0 0 3 5 8 −3 0
Source: COSAFA
(H) Hosts
Zimbabwe  1–1  Botswana
Report
Mozambique  4–5  Eswatini
Report

Eswatini  0–3  Zimbabwe
Report
Mozambique  1–2  Botswana
Report

Eswatini  0–0  Botswana
Report
Mozambique  0–1  Zimbabwe
Report

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Angola 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6 Semi-finals
2   Zambia 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 3
3   Namibia 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0
Source: COSAFA

  Madagascar was also drawn into this group but withdrew before playing.[5]

Zambia  1–3  Angola
Report

Angola  1–0  Namibia
Report

Zambia  2–1  Namibia
Report

Group C

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Africa 3 3 0 0 13 0 +13 9 Semi-finals
2   Comoros 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
3   Malawi 3 1 0 2 4 9 −5 3
4   Lesotho 3 1 0 2 3 9 −6 3
Source: COSAFA
Comoros  1–0  Lesotho
Report
South Africa  5–0  Malawi
Report

Malawi  2–1  Comoros
Report
South Africa  6–0  Lesotho
Report

Malawi  2–3  Lesotho
Report
Comoros  0–2  South Africa
Report

Knockout stage

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Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
3 October - Matola
 
 
  Angola0
 
5 October - Matola
 
  South Africa1
 
  South Africa2
 
3 October - Matola
 
  Zambia0
 
  Zimbabwe 2 (5)
 
 
  Zambia (p)2 (6)
 

Semi-finals

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Winners qualified for 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Angola  0–1  South Africa

Zimbabwe  2–2  Zambia
Penalties
5–6

Final

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South Africa  2–0  Zambia

Qualified teams

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Goalscorers

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There were 65 goals scored in 24 matches, for an average of 2.71 goals per match.

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Mozambique To Host 2024 COSAFA U-20 Championship". 3 September 2024.
  2. ^ "CAF opens bid for three competitions". 22 June 2024.
  3. ^ "History of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | COSAFA Qualifier". 4 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Tournoi UFOA-A U20 Liberia 2024 : la Mauritanie forfait". record.sn (in French). 15 September 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Race for African place gets under way in COSAFA U20 Qualifier". Council of Southern Africa Football Associations. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.