Sports

From U-20 AFCON stage to global stardom: The five legends who rose from Africa’s youth tournament

Published

2 months ago

May 1, 2025

173 Views

The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has always been more than just a youth tournament — it’s a window into the future of African football.

Over the decades, the competition has unveiled extraordinary talents who first captured continental attention before ascending to the heights of world football.

Each edition is a showcase of raw ambition, where tomorrow’s global icons take their first bold steps toward greatness.

As Egypt hosts the 2025 tournament, the legacy of past heroes continues to inspire every young player chasing a dream on these fields.

Their journeys remind us that today’s rising star could become tomorrow’s Champions League winner, Ballon d’Or contender, or national legend.
Africa’s U-20 AFCON is rich with stories of players who turned early promise into global superstardom.
It is a breeding ground where grit, talent, and destiny meet — and where football’s biggest careers are often born.

For the millions watching and the hundreds competing, these examples prove that the journey from the dusty pitches of youth tournaments to the grand stages of Europe is not just possible — it’s a path already blazed.

Here are five iconic players who once dazzled at the U-20 AFCON before taking over the football world.
Their stories continue to inspire the young talents lighting up Egypt 2025 today.
Yaya Touré announced himself to the world at the 2003 U-20 AFCON, where his commanding performances earned him the tournament’s Best Player award.
Touré’s brilliance propelled him into Europe, first with clubs like Beveren and Olympiacos, and ultimately with Barcelona, where he was a key figure in their treble-winning 2009 season.
Later, he became a Premier League powerhouse at Manchester City, reshaping how the modern midfield role is defined.
Long before he became Liverpool’s Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah’s raw talent was evident during his youth international appearances, including the U-20 AFCON.
His career pathway — from Basel to Chelsea to Roma — paved the way for a record-breaking spell at Liverpool, where he led the club to Champions League and Premier League glory, shattering scoring records and collecting countless individual accolades.
At the 2001 U-20 AFCON in Ethiopia, Michael Essien showcased the fierce determination and all-action style that would later make him a Chelsea legend.
Essien’s tireless energy, thunderous tackles, and long-range stunners made him one of the most formidable midfielders of his era, playing a crucial role in Chelsea’s domestic dominance and European success.
Defensive titan Samuel Osei Kuffour first caught the world’s eye during youth competitions like the U-20 AFCON.
His resilience, strength, and leadership quickly earned him a career at Bayern Munich, where he amassed Bundesliga titles and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy, becoming one of Africa’s greatest defenders.
Seydou Keita’s brilliance shone at the 1999 U-20 AFCON in Nigeria, marking the start of an illustrious career.
His intelligence, work rate, and versatility made him indispensable at European clubs, notably at Barcelona, where he was part of one of the most dominant teams in football history.
These players’ journeys — from continental hopefuls to world-beaters — underline why the U-20 AFCON remains one of Africa’s greatest gifts to global football.
As young talents now compete in Egypt, their dreams burn bright, knowing the path from local promise to international legend is a trail already blazed by giants.
[CAFonline.com]
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Sports

Power’s Titus Chansa on top scorer award

Published

11 hours ago

June 19, 2025

an24afri

7 Views

At the beginning of the season, no one had fancied Titus Chansa to win the Golden Boot but the striker defied odds.
Chansa netted 13 goals to finish as MTN Super League joint scorer with Nkana’s Idris Mbombo.
Chansa was winning the accolade for the first time while for Mbombo, it was the second having bagged it in 2018.
Chansa started the season with Mutondo Stars before joining champions Power Dynamos during the January transfer window on a one year loan.
He had already netted nine times for Mutondo in the first round when he was trekking to title-chasers Power.
The four goals in Power colours in the second round were enough for him to etch his name in history books and help the Kitwe side win the title.
The Zambia international is over the moon after a stellar season.
“It feels good and it has motivated me to work extra hard in the coming seasons,” Chansa said.
Asked if the move to Power prevented him from scoring more than the four he managed, Chansa attributed the low scoring rate to injury.
“It only affected me the time I had an injury which led to not playing nine games plus.”
Chansa said he faced healthy competition from other strikers in the race for the golden boot.
“The competition was there in every game we had knowing that I was in the race for the Golden boot with players who have been in competition already…but it kept me motivated to challenge them despite having not won it before,” he said.
With his loan deal expiring in December, Chansa has big ambitions.
“My goals for next season is to maintain the same hard work especially scoring more goals, helping the team achieve in winning the Super League also to be part of the Zambia National Soccer Team.
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Chipasula joins Barbra Banda, Kundananji in WAFCON squad

Published

13 hours ago

June 19, 2025

an24afri

6 Views

Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle has named her final 24-member squad for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2025.
Häuptle has included teenage sensation Mercy Chipasula and Mapalo Maluba into her final team.
China based striker Fridah Mukoma has also made the cut.
The former Black Queens coach has named three goalkeepers in the squad with Catherine Musonda expected to be the first choice.
Despite struggling for game time since Häuptle took over, defender Martha Tembo has also made the team.
Vice Captain Grace Chanda returns to the side after missing the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand through illness.
Chanda has been joined by her Orlando Pride teammates Prisca Chilufya and Barbra Banda.
Bay FC foward Racheal Kundananji wraps up the squad.
Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and neighbours DR Congo.
The Copper Queens will face Morocco in the opening fixture on July 5.
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Exclusive: Blades, Riverplate reach agreement over Zansi and Saile

Published

16 hours ago

June 19, 2025

an24afri

9 Views

MTN Super League newcomers Konkola Blades have reached an agreement with ZPL National League side Riverplate to sign duo of striker Golden Zansi and defensive midfielder Benjamin Saile, the ZamFoot Crew can exclusively reveal.
The two clubs reached an agreement in the last 72 hours with the duo set to complete their move to the Chilabombwe based outfit.
The ZamFoot Crew understands that personal terms are currently being finalized to allow the two players to move to Blades.
Zansi who joined RiverPlate FC in 2022 won the FAZ Southern Province Division One League back to back and helped Riverplate qualify for the national League.
During his first season, Zansi scored only one goal during the National League playoffs against Mwaimwena Strikers.
In the 2023/2024 season, he scored 17 goals in the FAZ Southern Province Division One League despite missing 14 league games in the second round due to an injury.
During the 2024/2025 season, he was joint top scorer in the ZPL National League with 10 goals. He also contributed 5 Assists.
Golden Zansi’s RiverPlate Career:
30 goals for River Plate; 17 in the FAZ Southern Province Division One, 3 National League Playoffs (1 in 2023 and 2 in 2024), 10 ZPL National League goals.
Saeli on the other hand has played 2 seasons for River Plate featuring as a defensive midfielder.
His first season was the 2023/2024 season and helped the team win the FAZ Southern Province Division One League, and also qualified for the ZPL National League via playoffs.
He scored only one goal in a week 22 match against Kitwe United in Kitwe. He made 5 assists in the season.
Blades are seriously looking to reinforce their squad ahead of the 2025/2026 MTN Super League season.
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