The fourth edition of the CECAFA Qualifiers of the CAF African Schools Football Championship concluded today 9th December 2025 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende. Uganda were crowned champions in the boys category after a tense final, while Tanzania claimed the girls title.
The boys final ended goalless between Uganda and Ethiopia before Uganda won 3–1 on penalties. The girls final also ended without a goal, with Ethiopia losing 5–4 to Tanzania in the shoot-out.
The third-place play-off matches took place earlier in the day. Tanzania defeated Burundi 2–0 in the boys fixture, while Uganda secured a 2–0 win over Burundi in the girls contest.
A range of individual and team awards were handed out at the conclusion of the tournament. Burundi won the boys fair play award and Uganda received the girls fair play award. Ramadhan Ngendabanyikwa of Burundi was named best goalkeeper in the boys category, while Lukia Seleman of Tanzania received the same recognition in the girls category. The top scorers were Nabiru Kajumba of Uganda in the boys competition and Hajra Mawanja of Tanzania in the girls section. The best player awards went to Muhoozi Henry of Uganda in the boys category and Lydia Namaseruka of Uganda in the girls category.
Prize money was awarded to the top finishers. Tanzania won bronze in the boys competition and Uganda took bronze in the girls competition, each receiving fifty thousand USD. Ethiopia secured silver in both categories and were awarded seventy-five thousand USD. Uganda claimed gold in the boys competition and Tanzania triumphed in the girls competition, with each champion receiving one hundred thousand USD.
Third-place Girls: Burundi 0-2 Uganda
Third-place Boys: Burundi 0-2 Tanzania
Final (Girls): Tanzania 0-0 Ethiopia (Penalties 5-4)
A press conference ahead of the start of the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers 2025 took place today at the FUFA Stadium Kadiba. FUFA First Vice President and LOC Chairperson Justus Mugisha together with the CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communications Andrew Oryada addressed the media. The briefing set the tone for the competition and highlighted Uganda’s readiness to host the regional schools’ championship for the second consecutive year.
In his remarks, Mr Mugisha reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the development of school sport and expressed gratitude to CAF for strengthening youth football across the continent.
Mr Mugisha stated that Uganda was honoured to host the championship for the second year running. He said that the country valued school sport and continued to invest in better structures and opportunities for young footballers.
‘As Uganda, we are very happy that we are hosting this championship for the second time in a row. We are also very happy for the fact that it is a school sport and we are hosting it in one of the best venues both for accommodation and for competition in the school facilities at St Mary’s Stadium. St Mary’s Stadium is going to be the main venue but we are also very happy that we are using the federation facilities and our FUFA Stadium Kadiba to host these games.’
He noted that the government and FUFA prioritise school football development, which has enabled Uganda to register continued progress on the regional and continental stage.
‘Uganda takes school sport very seriously and I think that is why we are doing very well. If there is anything I can say there is a lot of gratitude to Motsepe for becoming CAF President because the problem with Africa has always been that we may be talented but we start the journey of football late.’
He highlighted the importance of CAF’s investment in youth football structures and commended the introduction of competitions at younger age groups.
‘The fact that we now have Under 15 with a lot of energy invested means we shall see improvement in African sport as far as football is concerned. My message to all participating countries is that they should not only look at participating at regional and African level. They should put particular emphasis at the grassroots and in the zones.’
Mr Mugisha encouraged all nations to ensure compliance with age verification and coaching standards.
‘The other thing is to make sure that we play the right age and have the right coaches. We are happy with CAF because it is not only about sport or competition. The programmes which come with this championship are very good.’
He further revealed that Uganda had benefited greatly from the CAF Schools Championship capacity-building initiatives.
‘In Uganda we have taken advantage of the programmes. In the last three years after running them from CAF we have trained many referees, many coaches and also young reporters. It is now a programme in schools and I want to thank the government because it works with the Federation and the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association to ensure that this programme is a success.’
Mr Mugisha concluded by expressing confidence in Uganda’s ability to stage a successful event.
‘You are welcome and I am sure that we are going to have a very successful championship. Uganda has been performing very well in the last tournaments and we hope that Uganda will again make us proud. Thank you so much.’
Uganda has been selected to host the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers 2026.
Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), confirmed that the tournament has been moved from Ethiopia to Uganda.
‘We are happy to announce that the regional qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone will now be hosted by Uganda from December 6–9, 2025. This is a very important competition to have the youngsters compete at zonal level for boys and girls and later, and we thank Uganda for accepting to host the tournament,’ explained Sseninde.
Ten teams for the boys and eight for the girls have already confirmed participation. The draw for the competition will take place on November 10 at the FUFA Studio in Mengo, Uganda.
Sseninde also highlighted that, in addition to the competition, CAF’s ongoing Capacity Building Programmes will be conducted. These will include the Young Reporters Programme, Young Referee Programme, Young Medical Officers Programme, CAF D Licence Coaching Course, and CAF Safeguarding Workshops.
Teams from the CECAFA Zone have been among the most successful since the CAF African Schools Championship was launched by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe in 2022.
The inaugural tournament took place in Durban in 2023, with Guinea’s CS Ben Sekou Sylla winning the boys’ title and Tanzania’s Fountain Gate School lifting the girls’ trophy. During the second edition hosted by Zanzibar in 2024, Tanzania won the boys’ title while South Africa emerged champions in the girls’ category.
The third edition held in Ghana this year saw Tanzania defend their boys’ title, while hosts Ghana defeated Uganda in the final to claim the girls’ championship.
Group Draws
Girls Group A: Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda Group B: Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti
Boys Group A: Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan Group B: Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) through its Member Association FUFA has handed over two brand-new Isuzu buses to Amus College School and Royal Giant High School in recognition of their outstanding performances in the inaugural CAF African Schools Championship courtesy Motsepe Foundation.
The generous donation recognises their impressive performances during the 2023 CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Zone Qualifiers in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
Royal Giant High School Mityana, on the gold medal in the boys’ U-15 category and Amus College School, secured third place in the girls’ group and were both honoured with the transport gifts as per the project proposals submitted by schools.
Congratulations Royal Giant High School from Mityana for emerging Winners of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers to the inaugural CAF African Schools Championship. pic.twitter.com/O3UYFosJPJ
As part of the tournament’s prize package, Royal Giant received $100,000, while Amus College walked away with $50,000. The funds won, require the schools to submit a proposal earmarked specifically for school development projects to reinforce the tournament’s broader objective of using football to promote education and youth empowerment.
The handover ceremony, held at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, was also attended by the FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, FUFA 2nd Vice President Justus Mugisha who is also the President of Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports Rev. Can. Dr. Duncans Mugumya, Head teacher Richard Olupot of Amus College and Executive Director Benon Ntambi of Royal Giant School, Maggie Murirwa and Kawalya Douglas who are the Senior Sales Consultant and Asst. Sales Manager MAC East Africa-Isuzu respectively.
FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim praised the efforts of both schools and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to youth football. ‘There is no shortcut to success at the senior level without investing in youth football,’ Magogo said.
‘Since 2015, we have been deliberate in our programs and partnerships, and it’s not by accident that schools like Amus and Royal Giant are now producing players who feature in teams heading to the World Cup.’
‘CAF promised and it has delivered. This is a booster to the other schools and kids in school to work even harder talent-wise to compete with the very best in the game of football.’
Rev. Dr. Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, emphasised the significance of grassroots development in sports. ‘You cannot have U-17s qualify for the World Cup without school sports,’ he said. FUFA has shown exemplary proactivity in engaging schools, and other federations must follow suit.’
The schools’ representatives expressed their gratitude and pride in receiving the buses. Mr. Richard Olupot, Head Teacher of Amus College, recounted the school’s humble journey, while Mr. Ntambi Benon, Director of Royal Giant High School, thanked FUFA, CAF and the Ministry of Education and Sports for making their dream a reality.
Head Teacher of Amus College Mr. Richard Olupot
‘We received a call at 3:30 p.m. asking if we were ready to join the competition. We were just doing our regular training. Little did we know that it would lead us all the way to Dar es Salaam’
Executive Director of Royal Giant School-Mityana Mr. Benon Ntambi
‘Today is a day like no other day before it, when Royal Giant High School receives this award from the Confederation of African Football. Our journey was not soft, but we were prepared. This 67-seater Isuzu bus is not just a reward; it is a vessel we intend to fill with more trophies. I thank FUFA, CAF, ISUZU, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and USSSA for making this dream a reality’
‘CAF and FUFA, you have created a future for these girls. Today, we are riding into that future.’
The CAF African Schools Championship aims to positively impact young people through football values, and Uganda’s growing dominance in the tournament is a testament to the country’s commitment to investing in grassroots sports. This year’s edition of the championship is scheduled to take place in Ghana from 21st-26th April 2025.
Uganda has two teams St Noah Girls SS Zana and St Mary’s Kitende all representing the country.
The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”), Dr Patrice Motsepe will visit Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda – the three nations that will host the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship 2024 (CHAN) this week.
Dr Motsepe’s visit to the three host nations begins on Thursday morning, 19 December in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
He will then travel to Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda on Friday, 20 December, where he will conclude his three-nation tour.
During his visit, Dr Motsepe will meet Governments, Football Leadership and Local Organising Committees from the three countries.
The schedule of activities and meetings includes visits to the stadiums and training sites that are currently undergoing renovations ahead of next year’s competition.
Dr Motsepe’s visit comes on the back of the second inspection tour of the three host nations conducted by a CAF delegation in November where the various stadiums, training sites, hotels, airports and other facilities were inspected.
The CECAFA Qualifiers of the CAF African Schools Football Championship came to an end on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with Uganda winning the girls’ category and Tanzania winning the boys’ category.
Uganda topped the girl’s category with 7 points after defeating Burundi 8-0 earlier. Conversely, Tanzania saw off Somalia to displace Uganda at the top of the boy’s category by goal difference. Both teams accumulated 6 points, but Tanzania had a goal difference of 2, while Uganda had 1.
Tanzania emerged second in the girls category.
Burundi and Somalia emerged third in the girl’s and boy’s category respectively.
The winners take home USD 100,000, second-placed teams take USD 75,000 and those in the third place take USD 50,000.
Awards
Fairplay – Rwanda (Girls) and Tanzania (Boys)
Best Goalkeeper Girls – Haira Nabossa (Uganda)
Best Goalkeeper Boys – Irakiza Jean Marie (Burundi)
Top Scorer Girls – Brendah Nassaka (Uganda)
Best player Girls – Ella Louange Kezimana (Burundi)
On the opening day of the CECAFA Qualifiers of the CAF African School Football Championship, 10 goals were scored—nine were from the girls’ category and one from the boys’ category.
Ugandan sides St. Mary’s Kitende and St. Noa Girls Secondary School registered wins in their opening fixtures against Somalia and Burundi respectively.
Annastanzia Mbeiza scored a brace for St. Noa Girls Secondary School, while Kajumba Nabiru netted the lone goal that secured victory for St. Mary’s Kitende.
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has released the fixtures for the CAF African Schools Championship, hosted by St. Mary’s Kitende, Uganda.
Ugandan representatives St. Noa Secondary School (Girls) and St. Mary’s Kitende (Boys) will face Burundi and Somalia, respectively, on the opening day.
The boys’ category features five teams, while the girls’ category comprises four teams. In both categories, the team with the most points after all matches are played will be crowned champions.
The tournament runs from 10th to 12th December 2024.
The third edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA Zone will take place December 8-12th, 2024 at the St. Marys Stadium, Kitende in Uganda.
Nine teams will tussle it out in the Championship with five in the Boys category and four in the Girls category.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Director of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has explained that each of the categories will play the League format.
“The team with more points in each category will be the champions to represent the Zone at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals set to take place in 2025,” added Mossi.
Besides action on the pitch, CAF has also organized several workshops to run alongside the tournament including; Coaching Programme, Young Referees Programme, Young Reporters Programme, and Safeguarding.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship which enters it’s third edition is supported by the Motsepe Foundation with partnership between CAF, African Governments, Member Associations and Schools.
CAF African Schools Football Championship | CECAFA Qualifiers:
