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Accra Gears Up for Africa’s Biggest School Football Tournament
Ghana is set to take center stage as the host nation for the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2025 Continental Finals, marking a historic moment for youth football on the continent. The tournament, scheduled to take place from April 21 to April 26, 2025, will be held at the Legon Sports Stadium at the University of Ghana in Accra.
This will be the first time the championship’s continental finals are hosted in West Africa, following successful editions in South Africa (2023) and Tanzania (2024). The event is expected to bring together the brightest young football talents from across Africa, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to developing grassroots football.
A Platform for the Future of African Football
Launched in April 2022 by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the CAF African Schools Football Championship has rapidly become Africa’s largest youth football initiative. More than 1.9 million boys and girls from 46 countries have participated in the program since its inception, making it a key part of the continent’s sports development strategy.
With financial backing from the Motsepe Foundation, which donated $10 million, the championship has gone beyond football, funding legacy projects such as school renovations, library construction, and infrastructure development. The tournament’s prize money is equally impressive, with the winners receiving $300,000, the runners-up earning $200,000, and the third-place teams taking home $150,000.
A Strong Lineup and Global Partnerships
This season, 46 countries competed in the Zonal Qualifiers between October 2024 and January 2025 to secure their spots in the finals. The tournament will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from CAF’s six zones, alongside the defending champions from the 2023/24 season and host nation Ghana.
CAF is also strengthening the championship’s reach through key partnerships, including a collaboration with CANAL+, which aims to enhance the competition’s visibility and impact. CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
“We are excited for the upcoming CAF African Schools Football Championship in Ghana, a landmark event that continues to inspire young talent across Africa. With partners like CANAL+ on board, we are elevating this competition to new heights. Their support strengthens our mission to develop the next generation of football stars while fostering education, skills, and opportunities for young players. We look forward to an unforgettable tournament filled with passion, talent, and growth.”
Beyond Football: A Holistic Development Approach
In addition to the competition, CAF has introduced capacity-building programs to empower young athletes, coaches, and educators. These initiatives include:
✅ CAF D License Coaching Course
✅ CAF Safeguarding Workshops
✅ Safety and Security Training
✅ Young Medical Officers Programme
✅ Young Referees Programme
✅ Young Reporters ProgrammeThese programs aim to equip participants with essential skills that extend beyond football, ensuring they develop into well-rounded professionals in the sports industry.
The Stage is Set: Legon Sports Stadium
The Legon Sports Stadium, a 10,000-seater facility completed for the 2023 African Games, will serve as the championship’s venue. The stadium boasts world-class facilities, ensuring an optimal experience for players, coaches, and fans alike. With its modern infrastructure and training spaces, the stadium will also host the capacity-building workshops that are integral to the tournament’s broader mission.
Meet the Teams: The Road to Accra
The 2024/25 CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals will feature top teams from across Africa.
🏆 Qualified Teams: CAF African Schools Football Championship 2025
🇬🇭 Hosts
- Girls: Ghana
- Boys: Ghana
🇪🇦 CECAFA (East Africa)
- Girls: Uganda
- Boys: Tanzania (holders), Uganda (runners-up)
🇿🇦 COSAFA (Southern Africa)
- Girls: South Africa (holders), Malawi (runners-up)
- Boys: South Africa
🇲🇦 UNAF (North Africa)
- Girls: Morocco
- Boys: Algeria
🇨🇩 UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
- Girls: DR Congo
- Boys: DR Congo
🇬🇲 WAFU A (West Africa, Group A)
- Girls: Gambia
- Boys: Senegal
🇧🇯 WAFU B (West Africa, Group B)
- Girls: Benin (runners-up to hosts Ghana)
- Boys: Côte d’Ivoire
Looking Ahead
As Ghana prepares to host the most prestigious school football tournament in Africa, the anticipation is building. With world-class talent, international partnerships, and a strong emphasis on education and skills development, the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2025 promises to be a game-changing event for youth football on the continent.
For more updates, visit CAF’s official website.
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