South Africa Under-20 coach Raymond Mdaka wants to see more of the same character from his team when they face Morocco in the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, May 18.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Amajita have overcome numerous setbacks to challenge for their maiden title in Egypt after losing captain Asekho Tiwani to injury at the start of the tournament, while they also had to do without Shandre Campbell, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Siyabonga Mabena and Naledi Hlongwane.

Mdaka’s side have impressed in the knockout stages, beating DR Congo (1-0) and Nigeria (1-0) without conceding and they will get the opportunity to exact revenge on the Atlas Lions in what is a repeat of the 1997 final.

South Africa lost 1-0 to the AFCON hosts in Meknes on that occasion as Morocco lifted the trophy for the first time and remains their only success on the continent to date.

Both teams have good defensive records at the African showpiece, shipping just three goals each en-route to the decider in Cairo, although Amajita did play one game more in the group stages.

Mdaka also praised the discipline of his players in carrying out his instructions on the pitch and highlighted the progress they have made as another positive aspect.

“The boys showed character. They were disciplined in all the matches and they stuck to the technical and tactical agreements we agreed on during training sessions,” Mdaka said.

“It was not an easy match [against Nigeria] but our boys are growing in every match and that is pleasing to see.”

Just like South Africa did against the Small Leopards, Mohamed Ouahbi’s side needed extra time to get past Sierra Leone (1-0) in the quarter-finals and they ended the Young Pharaohs’ AFCON dream by running out 1-0 victors once more in the semi-finals.

Amajita have only been defeated once in Egypt (losing 1-0 to the hosts in their opening match), while the Atlas Lions are still unbeaten, winning four of their opening five games and drawing 0-0 with the Flying Eagles in the group stages.