DR Congo return to U20 spotlight with South Africa clash
After a 12-year absence from the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Democratic Republic of Congo are back in the knockout stages—and will face South Africa on Monday in a high-stakes quarter-final in Ismailia.
Guy Bukasa’s young Leopards return to the continental stage has been a mix of promise and pressure.
They opened their campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw against Ghana and followed it up with an emphatic 3-1 win over the Central African Republic.
But any momentum they built was halted on the final day of the group phase with a 2-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal, in which they conceded two penalties.
Despite that setback, DR Congo qualified for the last eight as one of the best third-placed teams. Their spot was confirmed thanks to their superior goal difference, and now the focus turns to replicating the form that earned them their biggest win of the group stage.
One of their standout players has been Samuel Ntanda, who scored in consecutive matches to give the team its cutting edge.
Alongside Noah Makanza, who netted twice against CAR, DR Congo carry a threat going forward—but questions remain over their ability to contain stronger sides after a shaky defensive display against Senegal.
Their opponents, South Africa, topped Group A but have yet to fully convince. After a heavy opening loss to Egypt (1-0), Amajita bounced back with a resounding 4-1 victory over Sierra Leone—arguably the best performance of their tournament.
However, they were held 1-1 by Zambia in their final group game and qualified with just five points, the same as Egypt and Sierra Leone.
Coach Vela Khumalo has rotated his squad effectively, but consistency remains an issue.
South Africa have proven capable of scoring in bursts, with midfielder Thabang Mahlangu among the most influential players, but they’ve also shown lapses in concentration that DR Congo will aim to exploit.
Monday’s match will be a test of maturity for both sides. DR Congo, seeking a deep run in their first appearance since 2013, are eager to re-establish themselves on the continental stage. South Africa, by contrast, are chasing their fourth semi-final in six editions and are expected to impose their tempo on the match.
With a place in the final four at stake, this quarter-final pits a resurgent DR Congo against a South African side still looking for consistency. The margins will be thin—and history will favour the side that rises to the occasion.