The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has confirmed Ghana as the host of the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship, scheduled to take place from April 21 to April 26, 2025. The Continental Finals will be held at the University of Ghana’s Legon Sports Stadium in Accra.
This marks the first time the tournament’s continental finals will be hosted in West Africa, following previous editions in South Africa (2023) and Tanzania (2024).
The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe in April 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique, has since engaged over 1.9 million boys and girls from 46 countries, making it one of Africa’s most extensive youth football programs.
CAF, in partnership with the Motsepe Foundation, which donated USD 10 million, has directed prize money towards school development projects, including renovations, libraries, infrastructure upgrades, and other community-based initiatives.
Prize Money Structure:
- Winners: USD 300,000
- Runners-up: USD 200,000
- Second runners-up: USD 150,000
A total of 46 countries registered for the 2024/25 season, fielding their national school teams in Zonal Qualifiers held between October 2024 and January 2025. The winners from CAF’s six zones, along with the 2023/24 champions, will join host nation Ghana at the finals.
CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna, expressed excitement over Ghana hosting the event, stating, “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.”
Capacity-Building Programmes
Alongside the competition, CAF has introduced a series of capacity-building initiatives, including:
- CAF D License Coaching Course
- CAF Safeguarding Workshops
- Safety and Security Workshops
- Young Medical Officers Programme
- Young Referee Programme
- Young Reporters Programme
The matches will take place at the 10,000-seater Legon Sports Stadium, which was completed for the 2023 African Games. The venue’s top-tier facilities will also accommodate the various training and capacity-building programs planned by CAF.
2024/25 CAF African Schools Football Championship 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: Côte d’Ivoire