The 2024 CAF African Schools Football Championship finals are set to kick off in Zanzibar from May 21-24th at the Amaan Stadium, showcasing the talent of young footballers across the continent.
This prestigious event, now in its second edition, is the brainchild of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and focuses on boys and girls under the age of 15.
CECAFA Zonal champions St. Mary’s Secondary School Kitende (SMASK) for Boys and Kawempe Muslim SS for Girls, both hailing from Uganda, will proudly represent their zone in the tournament.
In the qualifiers, SMASK secured their spot in the finals by defeating Tanzania 4-2 in a thrilling post-match penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the final. Meanwhile, Kawempe Muslim SS secured victory over Kenya with a 2-1 win during the Zonal qualifiers held last December in Nairobi, Kenya.
Hussein Ahmada, the General Secretary of the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF), expressed his excitement about hosting the championship, promising a memorable event for all attendees. “We promise to host a good Championship and we invite everyone to come and see Zanzibar,” he added enthusiastically.
In 2023, Royal Giants High School clinched the CECAFA title for boys but couldn’t participate in the finals of the first edition in South Africa. On the girls’ side, Tanzania’s Fountain Gate School emerged victorious in Durban.
Beyond the tournament matches, CAF will organize various capacity-building programs, including the Young Reporters Programme, Young Referee Programme, Young Medical Officers Programme, CAF D License Coaching Course, and CAF Safeguarding workshops.
The winners of both the Boys’ and Girls’ competitions will receive USD 300,000 in prize money, with runners-up earning USD 200,000 each. Additionally, bronze medalists will take home USD 150,000 each, courtesy of CAF’s partnership with the Motsepe Foundation, aimed at supporting development projects within schools.
