By Paul Joseph
A seven-member inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) completed their evaluation of Nigeria’s facilities on Wednesday, which are being prepared to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The team, led by Omar Amr (Safeguarding), assessed the facilities and equipment at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, FC Ebedei Stadium, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, and Babcock University Guest House.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship, established four years ago, is an annual tournament for players under 15, aimed at fostering youth football and promoting education throughout Africa.
It is backed by a $10 million investment from the foundation of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and includes zonal qualifiers that lead to the continental final tournament.
Amr informed officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the management of Remo Stars Sports Institute that 24 teams are anticipated to participate in what will be the largest CAF African Football Championship Final Phase since its inception in 2022.
This includes eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across the continent, along with eight additional teams from another FIFA confederation.
The inspection, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, was conducted by CAF officials including Omar Amr, Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), and Philippe Tchere, the Executive Director of WAFU B.
NFF officials, led by Dr. Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, were joined by Mrs. Oyinkansola Ajibola (GM, Beyond Limits Football Academy) and Mr. Michael Onikute to guide the inspectors through the facilities.
The previous finals were held in Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls were crowned champions.
Winners receive up to $300,000 for infrastructure development, and the tournament collaborates with organizations like UNICEF and WHO for health education initiatives.
The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Football Championship is scheduled for April.
At the conclusion of their assessment, the inspectors expressed their admiration for the facilities, with one member telling Hon. Kunle Soname, President of Remo Stars FC and owner of the Institute, said that it is the best facility he has seen in West Africa.
In related news, Senegal’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Lionesses de Téranga, has arrived in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for their upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria’s U20 Women National Team, the Falconets.
The Senegalese delegation flew into Lagos on Tuesday night and was promptly transported by bus to Abeokuta.
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