Sierra Leone’s remarkable first appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 concluded in disappointment as they were edged out 1-0 by Morocco following extra time in the quarter-finals.

A late own goal by defender Amara Keita dashed Sierra Leone’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Despite the loss, head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara praised his team’s tenacity, stating, “We wanted to hold Morocco and take the game to penalties. But I am extremely proud of the boys—they showed character and the hearts of warriors.”

In their first-ever U-20 AFCON, Sierra Leone made headlines with a stunning 4-1 win over hosts Egypt and a gritty 1-0 victory against Tanzania. They proved to be one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, praised Sierra Leone, calling them “one of the hardest opponents we faced.” He noted, “They were resilient, organized, and showed they belong at this level.”

As Morocco advanced to the semi-finals, Sierra Leone left with dignity. Kamara stated, “This is just the beginning; it marks the inception of something hopeful. The boys have motivated a nation while also gaining respect within African football.”