The 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Schools Championship draw has set the stage for a thrilling tournament, with host nation Ghana’s girls’ team facing Morocco, the 2024 runners-up, in the group stage, while the boys’ squad will clash with Uganda.
The official draw, conducted Monday in Accra by former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan and Ivorian football legend Clementine Toure, revealed challenging pathways for debutants and defending champions alike.
Eight teams across two groups of four will compete in both the boys’ and girls’ categories, with group winners advancing directly to the finals. Second-place finishers will contend for third place and a $150,000 prize, while the champions will claim $300,000 and runners-up $200,000. The tournament, open to players under 15, will run from 23 to 28 April 2025 at Accra’s University of Ghana Stadium.
Ghana’s girls, known as the Black Damsels, enter their debut campaign in Group A alongside Morocco, Benin, and Malawi after securing qualification through the WAFU B zone. Defending girls’ champions South Africa, meanwhile, face a formidable Group B featuring Uganda, DR Congo, and The Gambia. In the boys’ category, Ghana’s debutants share Group A with South Africa and Algeria, while reigning boys’ champions Tanzania headline Group B against Senegal, debutants Côte d’Ivoire, and DR Congo.
The third edition of the continental youth tournament, launched in 2022, aims to strengthen grassroots football under the theme “Encourage, Educate, and Engage,” complemented by educational workshops for participants. At Monday’s draw, Gyan emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “This championship is what Africa needs. Football development starts at the foundation, and this is that foundation.” He praised CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe for prioritizing youth structures, calling the initiative “incredible.”
With expanded outreach programs and rising stakes, the 2025 edition seeks to deepen its impact on Africa’s sporting landscape. The inclusion of legends like Gyan and Toure in proceedings underscores CAF’s strategy to align grassroots growth with inspirational figures, fostering a bridge between emerging talent and continental football heritage. As teams prepare, the tournament’s dual focus on sport and education reaffirms its role in shaping both athletes and future leaders.
