Officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have concluded a two-day inspection of facilities earmarked to host the final phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship in Nigeria.
The seven-member delegation, led by safeguarding expert Omar Amr, assessed infrastructure at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, FC Ebedei Stadium, Babcock University Teaching Hospital and the Babcock University Guest House as part of preparations for the continental youth tournament scheduled for April.
Speaking during the visit, Amr disclosed that 24 teams are expected to participate in what is projected to be the biggest final phase of the competition since its inception in 2022. The tournament will feature eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across Africa, alongside eight additional invited teams from another FIFA confederation.
Launched four years ago, the CAF African Schools Football Championship is an annual Under-15 competition designed to foster youth football development while promoting education across the continent. The initiative is backed by a $10 million investment from the foundation of CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, with zonal qualifiers determining participants for the continental finals.
The inspection team included Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC Officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing and Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel and Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety and Security), Hend Thabet (Travel and Accommodation) and WAFU B Executive Director Philippe Tchere. They were accompanied by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by Dr. Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, alongside representatives of the Remo Stars Sports Institute.
CAF inspectors were particularly impressed with the quality of infrastructure, with one member describing the Remo Stars Sports Institute as the best facility he had seen in West Africa while addressing the club’s president and institute proprietor, Hon. Kunle Soname.
The previous edition of the championship was staged in Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania claimed the boys’ title while hosts Ghana triumphed in the girls’ category. Winners of the competition receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural support, and the tournament is delivered in partnership with organisations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization to promote health education among young athletes.
With the inspection now completed, Nigeria moves a step closer to hosting a tournament expected to further boost grassroots football development across the continent.
