The stage is set for an entertaining TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire later this year, following the final draw held at CAF headquarters in Cairo on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
CAF executives, alongside special guests, including former Mali international Adama Coulibaly and Senegal legend Souleymane Camara, oversaw the proceedings that have mapped out the path to continental glory for 13 participating nations.
The tournament, scheduled to run from April 26 to May 18, 2025, not only offers a coveted continental title but also serves as a crucial qualification pathway for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, with four spots up for grabs.
The draw has produced some tantalizing group stage matchups, promising high-octane clashes from the very beginning.
Record seven-time champions Nigeria find themselves in a challenging Group B, pitted against former champions Egypt and Morocco, along with a formidable South African side.
This group is undoubtedly one of the toughest, guaranteeing intense competition for a place in the knockout stages.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire face a stern test in Group A, which features five teams, including DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-determined representative from the UNIFFAC region.
This larger group size adds an extra layer of complexity and will demand consistent performance from all involved.
Defending champions Senegal begin their title defense in Group C against Zambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.
They will be aiming to replicate their success from the 2023 tournament in Egypt, but they face stiff competition from a number of strong contenders.
The tournament format sees Group A comprised of five teams, while Groups B and C each contain four.
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals, setting the stage for a knockout phase culminating in the final on May 18, 2025.
Beyond the continental title, the stakes are high, with the four semi-finalists securing their berths at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
This offers these young African talents a platform to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Senegal will be aiming to secure back-to-back titles, but they face a tough challenge from Nigeria, the tournament’s most successful nation.
Ghana, with four titles to their name, including a historic FIFA U-20 World Cup victory in 2009, will also be a major contender.
Former champions Egypt, Morocco, and Zambia, along with hosts Côte d’Ivoire, will all be eager to make their mark on the tournament.
The groups for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2025 are as follows:
- Group A: Côte d’Ivoire, UNIFFAC 2, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania
- Group B: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco
- Group C: Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone
