DR Congo to host CAF African schools football qualifiers

The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to host the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

This upcoming event marks the final leg of the competition, with the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC) Zone gearing up to stage the concluding phase of the Zonal Qualifiers.

A Monday press release by the CAF Online Communications Department, retrieved by our correspondent, revealed this.

It read, “Following the highly successful Zonal qualifiers held by COSAFA, CECAFA, UNAF, WAFU A, and WAFU B, Kinshasa plays host to the UNIFFAC Zonal qualifiers set to take place at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa between March 11 and 17, 2024.

“The uniquely designed programme, which is the brainchild of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, has, in just its second season, reached more than 800,000 school-going boys and girls under the age of 15.”

Building leaders of tomorrow…

According to the release, the ASFC not only showcases African football talent but also aims to empower future leaders through concurrent capacity-building programmes.

“While showcasing and creating a platform for the next generation of African football talent remains a key highlight of the programme, CAF’s parallel objective of the competition is to leverage the tournament by capacitating future African leaders through the various capacity-building programmes that run concurrently with the tournament.

“Just recently, in Mauritania, where Nouakchott hosted the WAFU A Qualifiers, more learners and educators were impacted by the CAF-accredited courses.

“These courses included the CAF D Licence Coaching Course, the CAF Leadership Programme, the Young Reporters Programme, the Young Referees Programme, and the CAF Safeguarding Programme.

“With DR Congo concluding the zonal qualifiers, the focus will immediately shift to the CAF African Schools Championship Finals, where winners from all six CAF Zones will compete for continental glory.”