Newly crowned COSAFA champions, South Africa joined by Zambia in TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025

South Africa will represent the COSAFA region after being crowned champions of the Zonal Qualifiers on Saturday, 07 October following a 2-0 victory over Zambia.

The newly crowned champions’ victory seals their qualification to the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations where they will be joined by runners-up Zamabi at next year’s finals.

The qualifiers took place in Matola, Mozambique between 26 September - 05 October, featuring the host nation Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Eswatini, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi and Botswana.

South Africa came through the group phase unscathed as they managed to beat Malawi, Comoros and Lesotho respectively, scoring 16 goals in the tournament without conceding any.

With coach Raymond Mdaka at the helm, the champions triumphed following a 2-0 win over a stubborn Zambian outfit with goals from Shandre Campbell and Lee Jody Ahshene sealing the result.

It was the first time that the South Africans had won the competition since 2018.

In addition to lifting the title, the newly crowned zonal champions added to their list of achievements in the individual awards ceremony.  

Belgium-based Shandre Campbell scooping the Player of the Tournament award, Ahshene was crowned the tournament’s Top Goalscorer, while Fletcher Lowe walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will serve as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup™, which will take place between 27 September - 19 October in Chile next year.

TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Qualified Nations:

WAFU A

Winner: Senegal

Finalist: Sierra Leone

UNIFFAC

Winner: Democratic Republic of Congo

Finalist: Congo

COSAFA

Winner: South Africa

Finalist: Zambia

UNAF

TBC

WAFU B

TBC

CECAFA

TBC