Rising Stars group stage opponents in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco, will hope to wrap up their impressive performance in the tournament when they face South Africa in the final set for Sunday at the 30 June Stadium.The star-studded Moroccan side has lived up to the expectations in the tournament, sailing to the final without tasting defeat.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe only team to have given the North Africans a run for their money is Rising Stars, who surrendered their lead to eventually bow 3-2 in the opening Group B match.The Atlas Lions played Nigeria to a barren draw in their second group stage match before beating Tunisia 3-1 to top the pool and advance to the knockout stage as well.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931531##Morocco edged past Sierra Leone in the quarter-finals via an own goal deep in extra time, before a disciplined 1-0 victory over hosts Egypt in the semi-final sealed their return to the final for the first time since 2005.Striker Jones El Abdellaoui has emerged as a match-winner off the bench, while the likes of Ismaël Aouad and Ayman Safsafi have played key creative roles.Morocco boasts the tournament’s highest shot conversion rate and have not conceded a goal in their last three matches – a testament to their compact defensive unit.Amount Rising Stars players earned as AFCON U20 allowancesSouth Africa have also had a pretty decent run in the tournament and will hope to claim the title in what will be their first final in 28 years.The last time South Africa reached the final of the junior tournament, they lost to Morocco.Now, led by head coach Raymond Mdaka, the class of 2025 has a chance to rewrite that script and etch their names into African football history.Their road to the final has been anything but smooth. After opening their campaign with a narrow defeat to hosts Egypt, questions were raised.But the group rallied, growing stronger with each outing. A crucial final group match draw with Zambia secured top spot in Group A, while commanding wins over Sierra Leone and DR Congo followed in the knockout rounds.Title-hunting trio of Police, Tusker, and Gor Mahia seek redemption in Sunday actionIn the semi-finals, it was Tylon Smith’s 66th-minute strike – expertly set up by the influential Neo Rapoo – that downed Nigeria 1-0 in Ismailia and booked South Africa’s second-ever final berth.While Morocco brings pedigree and tactical control, South Africa offers raw spirit, attacking flair, and the psychological motivation of avenging their 1997 loss.Both nations have already achieved their initial goals of World Cup qualification, but there is no doubt that the continent’s crown remains the ultimate prize.
