The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has confirmed Ghana as hosts of the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2025 which is set to take place from 21 – 26 April 2025.
The Continental Finals will be played at the University of Ghana’s Legon Sports Stadium in Accra. This marks the first time the tournament’s continental finals will be held in West Africa, following previous editions in Southern Africa (South Africa 2023) and East Africa (Tanzania 2024).
The CAF African Schools Football Championship was launched by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe in April 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Since its inception, more than 1,965,000 boys and girls from 46 countries have participated in the Programme, making it the most successful youth sport mobilization movement in Africa.
In partnership with the Motsepe Foundation that donated USD 10 million, CAF has been able to use the prize money for legacy projects in schools, including renovations, building libraries, infrastructure development and other community-related developments.
The winner gets USD 300 000, the runners-up get USD 200 000, and the second runners-up receive USD 150 000.
46 countries registered to participate in the 2024/25 season fielding their national school teams in the Zonal Qualifiers that were played between October 2024 and January 2025. The winners from the CAF six Zones and the winning boys’ and girls’ teams from the 2023/24 Finals will join the host Ghana for the Continental Finals.
“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.” said CAF Director Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna.
Coupled with its platform of giving youngsters the opportunity to compete internationally, the competition has a parallel capacity-building programme affording youngsters, coaches and educators unique capacity-building skills which include:
CAF D License
CAF Safeguarding workshops
Coaching Course
Safety and Security workshops
Young Medical Officers Programme
Young Referee Programme
Young Reporters Programme
The matches are scheduled to be played at the magnificent 10,000-seater Legon Sports Stadium, which was completed for 2023 African Games.
The venue has excellent off-pitch facilities, which will accommodate the numerous crucial capacity-building programmes that CAF will stage on the sidelines of the Championship.
CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals 2024-25 Qualified Teams:
HOSTS
Girls: Ghana
Boys: Ghana
CECAFA
Girls: Uganda
Boys: Tanzania (holders), Uganda (CECAFA runners-up)
COSAFA
Girls: South Africa (holders), Malawi (COSAFA runners-up)
Boys: South Africa
UNAF
Girls: Morocco
Boys: Algeria
UNIFFAC
Girls: DR Congo
Boys: DR Congo
WAFU A
Girls: Gambia
Boys: Senegal
WAFU B
Girls: Benin (runners-up to hosts Ghana)
Boys: Cote d’Ivoire