The 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) may have only just begun in Egypt, but controversy is already simmering beneath the surface.
Two head coaches have raised concerns about age eligibility following the early group-stage matches—specifically pointing fingers at Sierra Leone’s squad.
Tanzania U-20 head coach Boniface Mkwasa did not hold back after his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sierra Leone. Speaking in a post-match reaction, Mkwasa questioned the physical profile and age range of the opposing team’s players.
“Even this team, Sierra Leone, if you see them, they are a bit bigger and age-wise, it’s not under 20 if you see,” he said, subtly suggesting that Sierra Leone may have fielded over-age players in a tournament designed strictly for players under 20 years of age.
The accusation didn’t stop there. Zambia’s Under-20 coach Boyd Mulandwa, whose side drew goalless with both Egypt and Sierra Leone in their opening fixtures, echoed similar sentiments.
Mulandwa, who is preparing his team for upcoming games against Tanzania and South Africa, lamented the challenges his younger players face when competing against allegedly older opponents.
“This is a youth tournament and we expect youths to play against youths but if you bring people who are not in that category, it becomes difficult for others,” he stated during a press briefing.
The tournament, which officially kicked off earlier this month in Egypt, has already seen intense matchups in the group stage, with all teams vying for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
However, the concerns raised by Mkwasa and Mulandwa have drawn renewed attention to an ongoing issue that has long plagued African age-group competitions—age cheating.
CAF has yet to respond to the allegations, but the coaches’ remarks may pressure the governing body to conduct thorough investigations into player eligibility across all participating teams.
