CAF Officials Praise Nigeria’s Facilities Ahead of African Schools Football Championship
A seven-member inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has wrapped up its evaluation of facilities in Nigeria ahead of the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.
Led by Omar Amr, CAF’s Safeguarding officer, the delegation assessed the Remo Stars Sports Institute, the FC Ebedei Stadium, as well as medical and hospitality facilities at Babcock University, including its Teaching Hospital and Guest House.
The visit, which took place over two days, was conducted alongside officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and representatives of Beyond Limits Football Academy.
The African Schools Football Championship, inaugurated four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament designed to nurture youth football while promoting education across the continent. Backed by a $10 million investment from the foundation of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, the competition features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental finals.
According to Amr, the upcoming edition will be the largest since the tournament’s inception in 2022, with 24 teams expected to participate. Eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams will represent Africa, while another eight teams will be invited from a different FIFA confederation.
The inspection team included Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing and Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety and Security), Hend Thabet (Travel and Accommodation), and Philippe Tchere, Executive Director of WAFU B. They were guided by NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf.
The 2024 finals, staged in Accra, Ghana, saw Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls crowned champions. Victorious teams benefit from up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, while the tournament also partners with organizations such as UNICEF and WHO to advance health education.
The 2025/26 Final Phase is scheduled for April, and inspectors expressed strong approval of Nigeria’s preparations. One member described the Remo Stars Sports Institute as the finest facility he had ever seen in West Africa, a glowing endorsement for the host nation.
