2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations


The 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations was the third edition of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, the quadrennial international age-restricted football championship organised by the Confederation of African Football for the men's under-23 national teams of Africa. It was hosted by Egypt between 8 and 22 November 2019.
The tournament was initially scheduled to take place in Zambia, but they withdrew from hosting in July 2017. Egypt was announced as the new host nation of the tournament by CAF on 23 September 2017.
Same as previous editions, the tournament served as African qualifying for the Olympic football tournament, with the top three teams of the tournament qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympic men's football tournament in Japan.
Nigeria were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the group stage. Egypt defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 at extra time in the final, winning the title for the first time in their history, while South Africa came third after beating Ghana 6–5 on penalties after the match ended 2–2 in their third-place play-off match.

Qualification

Egypt qualified automatically as hosts, while the remaining seven spots were determined by the qualifying rounds.

Qualified teams

The following eight teams qualified for the final tournament.
TeamAppearancePrevious best performance
3rd
1st
1st
2nd
2nd
3rd
3rd
2nd

Venues

The tournament used two venues, Cairo International Stadium and Al Salam Stadium, both in Cairo.

Squads

Each team had to register a squad of 21 players. Only players born on or after [|1] January 1997 were eligible to compete in the tournament.

Draw

The draw of the final tournament was held on 2 October 2019, 19:00 CAT, at the Haramlek Palace of Montaza Complex in Alexandria. The eight teams were drawn into two groups of four teams. The hosts Egypt were seeded in Group A, and the defending champions Nigeria were seeded in Group B. The remaining teams were allocated to two pots based on the results of the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, and were drawn to the remaining positions in their group.
SeedsPot 1Pot 2

  • Match officials

    On 31 October 2019, CAF released the list of 12 referees and 13 assistant referees selected to oversee matches. This is the first time CAF appointed female match officials for the tournament.
    Regional FederationRefereesAssistant Referees
    UNAF Lahlou Benbraham
    Mohamed Maarouf
    Slim Belkhouas
    Youssef El Bosaty
    Fathia Jermoumi
    Khalil Hassani
    WAFU-UFOA Louis Houngnandande
    Boubou Traoré
    Daouda Guèye
    Judicael Sanou
    Abdul Aziz Bollel Jawo
    Firmino Bassafim
    Abdoul Aziz Moctar Saley
    Samuel Pwadutakam
    UNIFFAC Pierre Atcho Abelmiro dos Reis
    CECAFA Georges Gatogato
    Souleiman Ahmed Djama
    Salima Mukansanga
    Dick Okello
    COSAFA Ali Mohamed Adelaide
    Andofetra Rakotojaona
    Ivanildo Meirelles Lopes
    James Emile
    Diana Chikotesha

    Group stage

    The top two teams of each group advanced to the semi-finals.
    ;Tiebreakers
    Teams were ranked according to points, and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied in the order given, to determine the rankings :
    1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
    4. If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
    5. Goal difference in all group matches;
    6. Goals scored in all group matches;
    7. Drawing of lots.
    All times are local, CAT.

    Group A


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    Group B


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    Knockout stage

    In the knockout stage, extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary, except for the third place match where a direct penalty shoot-out, without any extra time, would be used to decide the winner if necessary.

    Bracket

    Semi-finals

    Winners qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
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    Third place match

    Winner qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

    Final

    Winners

    Awards

    The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:
    Top ScorerBest PlayerBest GoalkeeperFair Play Award
    Mostafa Mohamed
    Ramadan Sobhi Mohamed Sobhy

    Team of the tournament

    The team of the tournament was announced by CAF after the final.
    Coach: Shawky Gharieb
    GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards
    Mohamed Sobhy Repo Malepe
    Kouadio-Yves Dabila
    Ahmed Ramadan
    Silas Gnaka
    Aboubakar Keita
    Amar Hamdy
    Evans Mensah
    Ramadan Sobhi
    Mostafa Mohamed
    Youssouf Dao

    Qualified teams for Summer Olympics

    The following three teams from CAF qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympic men's football tournament.
    TeamQualified onPrevious appearances in Summer Olympics1
    1
    11
    2

    Goalscorers