Sports

Fountain Gate, Royal Giant wins CAF Africa schools football championship

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola

Posted on February 21, 2023

Fountain Gate from Tanzania Dodoma Secondary School and Uganda’s Royal Giant High School claimed top honours at the African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers this weekend.

Fountain Gate Dodoma Secondary School, who were crowned as Girls U15 Champions, defeated Awaro Senior Secondary from Ethiopia 3-0 in the final played at the Azam Stadium, Chamazi.

Uganda’s Royal Giant High School, the boys U15 Champions, beat Geda Roble Secondary School (Ethiopia) 4-2 on penalties after the two teams finished goalless.

CAF together with partners Motsepe Foundation have invested in the development of Schools Football in Africa. The winners in both Girls and Boys won US$100,000 each while the runners-up took a prize of US$75,000.

The third placed teams won US$50,000. The cash prizes donated by the Motsepe Foundation go towards development projects in the respective schools that finished in the top three places in each category.

CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna commented on the success of CECAFA Qualifiers:

“The level of competition in the CECAFA Zone has been very impressive – we spent a very successful weekend.”

“We have had the unique opportunity during the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers to witness an event that not only showcased the best football talent, as evidenced by a highly competitive African Schools Football Championship.”

“Not just that but also the enthusiasm by the young referees, young reporters, safeguarding officers and the coaches who benefited from the workshops facilitated by CAF.”

“We have completed all the Zonal Qualifiers, and it’s all systems go in preparation for the Continental Finals, which will be held in April 2023.”

It’s worthwhile to know that the participating schools will be competing for a ticket to the maiden continental CAF African Schools Football Championship tournament in April 2023.

The African Schools Programme is a development project that focuses on schools’ football and organized through the African Schools Football Championship.

It is aimed to increase the social impact of football and empower participating countries to administer football through training programs.