Champions Amajita dominate U20 Afcon Team of the Tournament as Tylon Smith scoops Best Player award

After beating Morocco to win the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title, South Africa have gone on to dominate the team of the tournament.

Considered Mzansi's golden generation, the youngsters defied odds against a Moroccan side that boasted several European-based players to win the title in Egypt.

The team of the tournament has now been unveiled by Caf's Technical Study Group (TSG), and four Amajita stars have been named.

Fletcher Lowe, Neo Rapoo, Lazola Maku, and Tylon Smith are the South Africans on the team of the tournament, while Raymond Mdaka is the coach of the tournament.

Fletcher made 24 saves, the most saves during the competition, as well as four clean sheets, and he was instrumental in Amajita's campaign.

Morocco also produced four players on the team, as Othmane Maamma, Hossam Essadak, Hamza Koutoune, and Faycal Zahouani were included.

Best XI of the Tournament (1-4-2-3-1): Fletcher Lowe (South Africa), Neo Rapoo (South Africa), Mohamed Goweily (Egypt), Othmane Maamma (Morocco), Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria), Lazola Maku (South Africa), Hossam Essadak (Morocco), Faycal Zahouani (Morocco), Hamza Koutoune (Morocco), Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone), and Tylon Smith (South Africa)

Meanwhile, Smith, known for his composure, creativity, and ability to dictate games, was named the best player of the tournament, while Fletcher is the best goalkeeper.

With four goals to his name, Sierra Leone's Momoh Kamara emerged as the top scorer.

This is South Africa's maiden U20 Afcon title, and it came as a result of hard work and determination. Amajita defeated two of the pre-tournament favourites, Nigeria in the semi-final and Morocco in the final.

Morocco had one of the toughest teams, powered by Europe-based Jones El-Abdellaoui of Celta Vigo, Montpellier's Othmane Maamma, Lens midfielder Ismaël Aouad, defender Ismaël Baouf, and Monaco goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch, but in the end, it was Amajita who emerged winner.

South Africa becomes another first-time winner after Senegal, who won the title in 2023.

With the U20 Afcon success, some of the players are expected to break through into the senior Bafana Bafana squad under Hugo Broos.

Some will also join new clubs as their brilliance in Egypt is set to attract interest from clubs, even from abroad.

Meanwhile, Amajita's focus will be on the U20 World Cup finals that will be hosted in Chile in September this year.