The CAF African Schools Football Championship is an annual African schools association football competition launched in 2022 and organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Its main focus is to develop organised football at school level on the continent for boys and girls.
History On 11 May 2022 CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe launched the initial project in Maputo, Mozambique. The inaugural tournament took place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban from 5–8 April 2023. Guinea's CS Ben Sekou Sylla won the inaugural boys title 5-4 via penalties against Clapham High School of South Africa after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In the girls edition, Tanzania's Fountain Gate School won the inaugural title 3-0 against Ecole Omar IBN Khatab of Morocco.
The second edition was held from 21–24 May 2024 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Hosts Tanzania won the boys edition defeating defending champions Guinea 1-0 in the final. In the girls edition, South Africa defeated Morocco 5-4 via penalties after the matched ended in a 1-1 draw.
The third edition was held from 21–26 April 2025 at the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana. Defending champions Tanzania won the boys edition 3-2 via penalties against Senegal after the match ended in a 0-0 draw. Hosts Ghana defeated Uganda 2-0 in the girls edition to win their maiden title.
The fourth edition was held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 2–10 April 2026. Senegal won their maiden title defeating Uganda 5-4 via penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw. Defending champions Ghana won the girls edition 9-8 via penalties against Burkina Faso after their match also ended in a goalless draw.
Winners A list of past winners for the boys and girls competitions:
Boys EditionYearHostFinalThird Place MatchWinnerScoreRunner-upThird PlaceScoreFourth Place12023 DurbanCS Ben Sekou Sylla1–1 Clapham High SchoolSalima Secondary School3–1CEG Sainte Rita22024 Zanzibar City1–00–0 32025 Accra0–0 2–142026 Harare0–0 1–0
Participating nations for boys Team2023(8)2024(7)2025(8)2026(8)YearsGS×GS•24th4th•3rd3GS×GSGS3ו3rd11st2nd×2וGS1×GS×13rd••1ו•4th1×3rd2nd1st32ndGSGS3×1st1stGS3GSו1GSGS4th2nd4ו•GS1ו•GS1
Legend – Champions – Runners-up – Third place – Fourth place GS – Group stage Q – Qualified – Hosts × – Did not enter • – Did not qualify × – Withdrew before qualification – Withdrew after qualification – Disqualified after qualification
Girls EditionYearHostFinalThird Place MatchWinnerScoreRunner-upThird PlaceScoreFourth Place12023 DurbanFountain Gate School3–0Ecole Omar Ibn El-KhatabScan Aid0–0 CSG de Mfilou22024 Zanzibar City1–1 1–032025 Accra2–02–142026 Harare0–0 2–0
Participating nations for girls Team2023(7)2024(7)2025(8)2026(8)YearsGS•GS2ו•2nd14thGS×2××GSGS23rdGSGS3ו1st1st2×××GS1וGS12nd2nd4th4th4GS××1GS1st3rd31st4th•GS3×GS×1×3rd2nd2ו•3rd1ו•GS1
Legend – Champions – Runners-up – Third place – Fourth place GS – Group stage Q – Qualified – Hosts × – Did not enter • – Did not qualify × – Withdrew before qualification – Withdrew after qualification – Disqualified after qualification
Prizes The tournament received a donation of US$10,000,000 from the Motsepe Foundation, which set the prize money split at zonal and continental level. FinalpositionRegional price moneyFinals price moneyChampions US$100,000US$300,000Runners-up US$75,000US$200,000Third place US$50,000US$150,000
Awards Boys TournamentPlayer of the TournamentGolden BootGoalsGolden GloveFair Play2023 Kagiso Maloka Mohamed Sacko Ibrahima Camara Boulawech Boumerdes School2024 Abel Samson Asmara Keita Mujahid Juma2025 Souleymane Commissaire Faye John Andor Ingatus Cyril Acquah Hagan Rajabu Manyelezi2026 Bara Gueye Owen Mukisa Prosper Pareira
Girls TournamentPlayer of the TournamentGolden BootGoalsGolden GloveFair Play2023 Winfrida Gerald Winfrida Gerald Allic Neckema Anse Boileau Secondary School2024 Meryem Oubella Shadia Nabrye Sphumelele Zibula2025 Jennifer Awuku Pulane Moloi Precious Akenguwie2026 Christiana Ashiaku Phida Muzuwa Naffisatou Zabre
References