Season two of the successful CAF African Schools Football Championship kicks off today with the launch of the registration period for the 2023/24 edition that promises to set a new bar in shaping the future of young Africans.
The kick-off of the new season has created excitement in the 54 CAF Member Associations as Schools prepare their U15 Girls and Boys team to compete for the ultimate prize of being crowned Continental Champions.
While Football is at the heart of the CAF African Schools Football Championship, the Programme has a number of impactful elements, including the “Young Referee Programme”, the “Young Reporter Programme” and the Safeguarding. These elements make the CAF African Schools Football Championship a legacy movement aimed at developing future African leaders on and off the field.
The registration period will be followed by the National Qualifiers in August. This will be followed by Zonal Qualifiers between October to December 2023.
The Continental Finals will be played in April 2024. The venue will be announced in due course.
CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna said: “The success of African Football is largely dependent on a strong foundation which CAF is laying through the CAF African Schools Football Championship. The bold vision by President Dr Motsepe has resulted in Africa being global trendsetters, with the programme being a first of its kind. We look forward to yet another successful season of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.”
In the first season in 2022-23, the CAF African Schools Football Championship touched over 500 000 young lives in the African continent – a remarkable feat for a programme. The initiative is one of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and CAF leadership’s promise to give a platform to young Africans to showcase their talent and also be empowered in different disciplines.
In 2022-23, 41 countries participated with over 20 000 schools in the CAF’s six Zones: Boys and Girls U15.
About the Programme:
The CAF African Schools Programme organises support programmes that run in all phases and simultaneously with the Championship.
Young Referee Programme:
Students are given opportunities to learn from experts in football match officiating and use the skills to officiate matches during the Championship.
Young Reporter Programme:
Students are given opportunities to learn from experts in football reporting and use the skills to report on their counterparts who are playing or coaching during the Championship.
Coaching Programme:
Students and teachers below 25 years-old are trained on fundamentals of football coaching and management to increase the number of trained personnel in each country.
Safeguarding:
Students, Guardians, Teachers and all workforce at the Championship are educated and trained on maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
2022/23 CAF African Schools Football Championship Highlights:
Winners in the U15 Boys Section
CS Ben Sekou Sylla – Guinea
Winners in the U15 Girls Section
Fountain Gate School of Tanzania
Facts on the Inaugural Season
- More than 500 000 learners participated
- More than 20 000 schools
- Hundreds of boys and Girls participated in the Young Referee, Young Reporter and Safeguarding Programme
- A total of 41 Countries participated in the inaugural edition