Ghana and the Central African Republic (CAR) are set for a decisive showdown in their final Group C fixture at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. The stakes are high, with both nations eyeing a place in the quarter-finals. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT).
Ghana needs only a draw to progress, while CAR must claim all three points to continue their journey in the tournament. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two sides at the U20 AFCON finals.
The Central African Republic has struggled against West African opponents in previous tournaments. Their history includes a 3-1 loss to Burkina Faso and a 3-0 defeat to Gambia in 2021. However, they managed to earn a point in their current campaign with a commendable draw against tournament favourites Senegal.
Ghana enters this fixture after a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a narrow but historic 1-0 victory over Senegal, becoming the first team to beat the Young Lions of Teranga in open play in eight years. This will be Ghana’s second encounter in the tournament against a Central African side after their opening game against DRC.
Historically, Ghana has met Central African opponents seven times in the U20 AFCON, recording two wins, four draws, and a single loss. Notably, their last three such matches have all ended 1-1. Ghana’s most recent victory against a Central African team was in the 2009 final against Cameroon, a repeat of their 1993 triumph. Their only defeat came in the group stage of the 1993 edition, when they lost 2-0 to Cameroon.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: KEY STATS AND FORM
Lost their last match 3-1 to the DRC, marking the third time they’ve conceded three goals in a single U20 AFCON match.
Despite scoring first in four AFCON matches, they have only converted one of those into a win — a 2-1 victory over Tunisia in 2021.
On a six-match winless streak (D2 L4) since that win against Tunisia.
Have never lost their final group match at the U20 AFCON, winning 2-1 against Tunisia in 2021 and drawing 0-0 with Congo in 2023.
A win could take them to the quarter-finals for just the second time, their first being in 2021.
Conceded 10 shots on target against the DRC — the most in a single AFCON match for them.
Goalkeeper Boarnages Malimoto made seven saves in that game, equalling a national record set by Mauril Abimala in 2023.
So far, have faced 13 shots on target in just two games this tournament.
Have managed only one clean sheet in nine tournament matches — a 0-0 draw with Congo in 2023.
GHANA: FORM AND RECORDS
Unbeaten in the tournament so far: drew 1-1 with the DRC and beat Senegal 1-0.
All three goals in Ghana’s matches have come within the first 25 minutes.
Competing in their 13th U20 AFCON group stage, aiming to reach the knockouts for the 10th time. They failed to advance only in 2003, 2011, and 2019.
In their 12 previous final group stage matches, Ghana has won 4, drawn 4, and lost 4.
Have lost their last three final group games — 1-0 to Mali in both 2015 and 2019, and 2-1 to Gambia in 2021. Their last win in a final group game was a 2-0 victory over Algeria in 2013.
Controlled 50% of possession in their win over Senegal and 57.8% in the draw against DRC.
Registered only 3 shots on target versus Senegal while conceding 8.
Goalkeeper Gidios Aseako made 8 saves in the win over Senegal — the highest by any goalkeeper in the current tournament.
Scored two goals from 14 total shots, resulting in a 14.29% conversion rate.
Accumulated seven yellow cards in two matches — the second-most in the tournament after Tanzania (8), with four bookings coming in the Senegal match.
As both teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter, Ghana looks to build on their momentum and secure safe passage to the next round, while CAR will be hoping to end their winless streak and make history with a second-ever quarter-final appearance.
