Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA’s turnaround efforts of the national game have continued to attract positive vibes, with the association on Monday being granted the rights to host the 2026 edition of the Confederation of African Football Schools Championships.
CAF took to their official website to announce the staging of the continental finals in Harare from April 2–10, its a milestone for ZIFA.
The tournament, competed for by Boys’ and Girls’ Under-15 teams, is now on its fourth year, having been initiated by CAF President, Patrice Motsepe in 2021 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The kick-off event was then held in Maputo, Mozambique, a few months later.
Zimbabwe has not hosted a major CAF event in over six years.
The country has mostly staged regional tournaments organised by COSAFA such as the Boys’ Under-17 Championships at The Heart and Ngoni stadiums last year.
But the new ZIFA leadership have literally been moving mountains to turnaround the local game that had been dormant after years of battering and in-fighting.
While turning the corner locally, ZIFA have also sought to make an imprint in regional and continental football.
The CAF Schools championships has seen more than two million boys and girls participating in the programme that begins at the regional stage.
Although the finer details on the staging of the competition are expected to be revealed at a joint press conference staged by CAF and ZIFA tentatively set for Harare tomorrow, the association expressed their joy in a brief statement yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) welcomes CAF’s confirmation that Harare, Zimbabwe, will host the 2026 CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals from 2 to 10 April 2026,’’ said ZIFA.
“The hosting of the tournament marks an important moment for Zimbabwean football, as it will be the first CAF event staged in the country in more than six years. It also reflects growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s ability to host major continental football events.
“Launched in 2021 under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, the CAF African Schools Football Championship has become Africa’s flagship schools football programme, combining football, education and social development.
“Since 2022, more than three million boys and girls from 82 477 schools across 48 countries have taken part,’’ ZIFA said.
“The Harare finals will feature 16 teams, including host nation Zimbabwe, zonal champions and invited teams from CAF’s sister confederations.
“In addition to the matches, the event will also include CAF-led capacity building programmes for young referees, young reporters, medical officers, coaches and safeguarding practitioners.
“ZIFA look forward to working with CAF and all stakeholders to deliver a successful tournament and a memorable experience for young footballers across the continent.
CAF General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, in confirming the Zimbabwe edition of the finals, also underscored the significance of the competition to development of the game on the continent.
“The CAF African Schools Football Championship programme is a strategic investment in the future of African football,’’ Mosengo-Omba said.
“Under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, this programme continues to combine sporting excellence with education and capacity building.
“As we prepare for the continental finals in Zimbabwe, including the historic participation of teams from sister confederations, we reaffirm CAF’s commitment to developing young talent, strengthening institutions and positioning African football competitively on the global stage,” added Mosengo-Omba.
The tournament guarantees its winners US$300 000 for the boys’ and Girls’ categories, respectively.
Runners-up will pocket US$200 000 and third-place finishers are awarded US$150 000.
The Motsepe Foundation invested an initial US$10 million to contribute towards prize money of the tourney whose previous hosts include Tanzania (2024), Ghana (2025) and South Africa (2023).
To showcase its social development thrust, the competition has to date also seen in excess of US$2.6 million being contributed towards refurbishments of educational and sporting facilities across various African schools.
Because of its multi-faceted approach, the CAF African Schools Football Championship has established itself as Africa’s flagship schools football programme.
Following the successful completion of the Zonal Qualifiers, 16 teams comprising of the Zonal champions, the host nation, as well as a historic invitation of teams from CAF’s sister Confederations — will compete in a tournament that remains proudly African, while strategically exposing young African talent to global football.
CAF also indicated that they would soon confirm details of the invitational teams from other Confederations.
The funds set for prize money, are ring-fenced for infrastructural development projects at the respective schools such as sports facilities, classrooms, libraries and other critical educational amenities.
Zimbabwe, whose class included captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi, Golden Boot award winner El Shaddai Sadomba and winger Tatenda Maulidi, won bronze in the 2023 COSAFA qualifier at Gateway High School in Harare.
But the Young Warriors had not reached the continental finals and will now do so by virtue of being hosts.
CAF African Schools Championship
participating teams:
GIRLS: Zimbabwe (Hosts), Ghana (Champions), Burkina Faso, Morocco, Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia, DR Congo
BOYS: Zimbabwe (Hosts), Tanzania (Champions), Benin, Morocco, Senegal, Uganda
