CAF African Schools Football Championship: South Africa Profile
South Africa's Girls return to the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals for the third year in a row having been ever-presents at this stage of the competition, and this time do so as defending champions.
They competed as Edendale Technical High School in the inaugural event in 2022-23 and after storming to victory in the COSAFA qualifiers held in Malawi, they could not get out of the pool stages at the continental finals on home soil in Durban, South Africa.
They claimed the COSAFA title for a second year in a row in the qualifiers in Zimbabwe and this time excellent on the continental stage, lifting the trophy in Zanzibar.
South Africa needed penalties to edge Morocco 5-4 on penalties after the teams had played to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the final.
Sphumelele Zibula won Goalkeeper of the Tournament at those finals and played a huge role in her side being crowned champions.
They return to the 2024-25 continental finals as champions but still completed a hat-trick of victories in the COSAFA qualifiers by lifting the trophy again in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
They defeated Malawi in the decider, with the latter earning their place at the finals in Ghana as the COSAFA qualifier.
Record at the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals:
2022-23: Group Stages
2023-24: Winners
Record at the CAF African Schools Football Championship COSAFA zonal finals:
2022-23: Winners
2023-24: Winners
2024-25: Winners
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
7 days ago
- CAF
COSAFA Cup 2025: The perfect tune-up for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 contenders
The COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa is more than just a regional tournament—it's a crucial preparation platform for eight teams heading to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Southern African national teams are gearing up for another exciting edition of the COSAFA Cup, set to be hosted in Bloemfontein, South Africa between 4 – 15 June. This year's edition carries even more significance for 8 of the 14 participating nations, who will not only be aiming at lifting the regional title, but fine-tuning their squads ahead of two crucial CAF competitions set for later this year. Angola, Botswana, Comoros, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and East African invitational side, Tanzania head to the regional tournament with the aim of strategically using this competition to refine their tactics, assess squad depth, and build momentum this year's TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Of the seven COSAFA nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, only South Africa and Zambia have went on to lift to continental crown, while East African nation, Tanzania are yet to lift the coveted TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title. South Africa, drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe and Mozambique, will be eager to make the most of home advantage. Coach Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana Bafana to an impressive podium finish in Cote d'Ivoire last year has emphasised the importance of squad rotation, and the COSAFA Cup provides the perfect setting to test different combinations. Zimbabwe, returning to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals after missing the last edition, will focus on squad cohesion and tactical discipline. Mozambique, last year's COSAFA Cup bronze medallists, will aim to sharpen their attacking play and defensive organization. Angola, Botswana, and Zambia find themselves in Group D of the COSAFA Cup, making it one of the most competitive pools that will work toward their advantage in their fine-tuning of their squads. Angola, the defending COSAFA champions, will want to ensure their defensive stability matches their offensive prowess. Botswana, eager to make a statement, will focus on improving their attacking efficiency and defensive resilience. Zambia, a former TotalEnergies CAF AFCON champion (2012), has a rich history in the competition and will look to use their experience to gain an edge. Comoros and Tanzania, drawn together in Group C, will also benefit from the COSAFA Cup experience. Comoros, a rising force in African football, will aim to strengthen their squad chemistry and tactical discipline. Tanzania's inclusion in the tournament adds an interesting dynamic, as they are preparing for both the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON and CAF African Nations Championship later in the year. Beyond individual team preparations, the COSAFA Cup serves as a platform for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the final AFCON squads. Coaches will have the chance to experiment with formations, test new combinations, and assess their squad's adaptability under tournament conditions. The intensity of the matches will provide a realistic preview of the challenges awaiting them in Morocco.
CAF
07-05-2025
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Zambia in must-win clash against South Africa in Group A
COSAFA rivals South Africa and Zambia meet for the fourth time at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they clash in a final Group A fixture on Friday (kick-off 18:00 local time / 15:00 GMT). South Africa need just a point to qualify for the knockout stages, while Zambia must win. In their previous three encounters at the tournament finals, South Africa won twice and Zambia once. Their first meeting came in the group stage, where South Africa won 2-1 and progressed alongside Côte d'Ivoire, while Zambia were eliminated. In 2015, both teams were already eliminated before their final group game. South Africa triumphed in a 5-2 thriller, with Tyroane Sandows scoring a hat trick and Dumsani Zuma netting a brace. Zambia scored via a Kabelo Seriba own goal and a 90th-minute strike by Charles Zulu. The most recent clash came in the 2017 semi-finals. Hosts Zambia won 1-0, with Edward Chilufya scoring in the 109th minute to send his side to the final, where they went on to claim the title. In total, the three tournament encounters have produced 11 goals—7 for South Africa and 4 for Zambia. Notably, in both previous instances where the teams shared a group (1997 and 2015), they did not both advance. More recently, South Africa defeated Zambia 2-0 in the 2024 COSAFA U-20 final during qualifying for this tournament. Shandre Campbell and Lee Ahshene were the scorers. SOUTH AFRICA FACTS · After losing to hosts Egypt, South Africa beat Tanzania (1-0) and Sierra Leone (4-1). They will qualify with a win or draw. · South Africa have previously reached the knockout stages in 1997, 2009, 2017, and 2019. · The 4-1 win over Sierra Leone was their joint-biggest at the finals, equalling the 5-2 win over Zambia in 2015. · It was the first time they scored more than one goal in a game since their 3-1 win over Sudan in 2017. · This marks just the third time they've won back-to-back group games (also 1997 and 2009). · They've never won three games in open play at a single edition. · Should they progress, it would be the second time (after 1997) that they advanced after losing their opening game. · South Africa's four goals against Sierra Leone matched their total from the previous eight games. · Thabang Mahlangu became the first South African substitute to score a brace in a single game at the finals. · Neo Rapoo and Jody Ahshene each scored and assisted in the same match – a first for South Africa at this tournament. · Shakeel April has contributed in two games: scoring against Tanzania and assisting against Sierra Leone. ZAMBIA FACTS · Zambia are unbeaten after 0-0 draws with Sierra Leone and Egypt, followed by a 1-0 win over Tanzania. · The Tanzania win ended a five-game winless run at the finals (D3, L2). · It was their first win abroad at the tournament since beating Egypt 3-0 in 2007. · Before that, they had failed to win in 10 away games (L7, D3). · Zambia are the only team in Group A yet to concede. · They've kept three clean sheets for the first time in group play. · Goalkeeper Leevison Banda leads the tournament with three clean sheets. · Their only goal came via a stoppage-time penalty by Joseph Sabobo against Tanzania. They've yet to score from open play. · Their shot conversion rate is just 3.23%, the second-lowest in the tournament (only Tanzania have a worse rate). · A win would send Zambia to the knockouts for the fifth time (previously in 1991, 1999, 2007, 2017). · In 1991, also hosted by Egypt, they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. · Elimination would mark back-to-back group-stage exits (also in 2023), and their fifth overall (1995, 1997, 2015, 2023).
CAF
26-04-2025
- CAF
CAF African Schools Football Championship Capacity Building Programme graduates honoured in Accra
CAF's Capacity Building Programmes at the ongoing CAF African Schools Football Championship came to a grande close on Friday, after the governing body of African football staged a glittering ceremony for the participants that underwent the training over the last week. A total of 180 participants, who started the various programmes on Monday, 21 April were honoured at the graduation ceremony that was attended by the CAF General Secretary, Mr Veron Mosengo-Omba following the Friday's conclusion of the six programmes that ran concurrently to the Continental Finals. In line with CAF's holistic approach to youth football development in Africa, the CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 is staged along with five CAF educational programme which are the CAF Young Referees Programme, CAF Young Reporters Programme, CAF Young Medical Officers Programme, CAF Safeguarding Programme, CAF D License Coaching Course as well as the CAF Young Reporters Programme. Congratulating the 180 graduates, CAF's Member Associations Director Ms Sarah Mukuna urged the participants to make use of this stepping stone provided by CAF, adding that their graduation forms part of the building blocks towards achieving CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe's bold vision of making African football globally competitive and self-sustaining. 'The CAF President's vision of making African football to be globally competitive and self-sustaining remains alive and very much achievable thanks to such significant achievements. The CAF African Schools Football Championship has been a remarkable success since its 2022 inauguration and with constant innovation and strategic planning, the programme has grown into one of CAF's most valuable assets of using football to help positively shape the story of African football. Through this graduation, we urge all participants to make use of this stepping stone by CAF as it forms part of the building blocks to achieving the CAF President's bold vision for African football', said Mukuna. The CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 officially draws to a close on Saturday, 26 April with the finals of both the Boys and Girls U-15 divisions. Both finals will be preceded by a third place play off, with all matches, including the two finals being broadcast live on SuperSport as well as on CAF's official YouTube channel, CAF TV.
