This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-Caf
As the Totalnergies 2025 CAN U20 epilogue approaches, all eyes converge on the International Cairo stadium, theater of the long -awaited final between Morocco and South Africa, today on Sunday.
The two selections have crossed the stages brilliantly, showing character, mastery and a certain panache. If the road has been strewn with pitfalls, they knew how to get out of it thanks to a few individuals that splashed the competition of their talent.
Four names stand out at the time of this shock for the title: two Moroccans-Reda Laalaoui, Metronome of the Middle, and Jones El Abdellaoui, retraction-and two South Africans-Thabang Mahangu, offensive dynamiteur, and Shakeel April, master to play in the middle.
Profiles that have not only worn their teams, but which will undoubtedly be the peace judges of a duel with the appearance of the finish before the time.
Thabang Mahlangu, the Follet Fire of the Amajita
(South Africa, Supersport United, 19)
If it was necessary to elect the revelation of the tournament, his name would undoubtedly return to everyone’s lips. Striking, inspired, and above all decisive, Thabang Mahlangu has energized the opposing defenses throughout the competition.
Three goals in six games, including a liberating jewel in the quarter -finals against DR Congo, where he won a note of 7.8. Faced with Nigeria in the semi-finals, he weighed again (6.7), without managing to score.
His liveliness, his sharp calls and his sense of goal make him the fatal weapon of the South Africans to hope to win a first continental crown in the U20.
Shakeel April, the medium brain
(South Africa, Cape Town City, 19)
Less media but just as essential, Shakeel April embodies the technical finesse and the vision of play in the South African environment. A true regulator, he illuminated the meeting against DR Congo by offering the goal of qualification to Mahlangu.
A goal, a decisive pass, but above all a rare game intelligence at this age. Slightly affected against Nigeria, April should nevertheless hold its place for the final.
In good shape, he has the keys to blow up the Moroccan lock.
Jones el Abdellaoui, the impact in gold
(Morocco, Celta Vigo, 19)
His playing time is not the highest, but his performance, he, borders on the exception. The striker formed in Spain struck hard in the semi-finals: entered the 64th minute against Egypt, he only put a few moments to make the nets tremble.
A decisive goal, a match noted 7.6, and an impression of serenity in hot moments. Jones El Abdellaoui is of this caliber of players who do not tremble. His sense of goal and his lucidity in front of the opposing goal could tip the scales.
Reda Laalaoui, the Moroccan control tower
(Morocco, Fus Rabat, 20 years old)
It may be him, the real boss of this Moroccan team. At 20, Reda Laalaoui releases stunning maturity. Unmissable in the midfield, he dictates the tempo, guides, calm or accelerates as needed.
His reference match? A quarter -final marathon against Sierra Leone, disputed until the end of the 120 minutes, with the key a performance noted 8.1.
Calm, technically clean, and endowed with a remarkable quality of pass, Laalaoui symbolizes balance and rigor. Precious qualities in a final where each ball will count.
