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CAF
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage highlights
The group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 came to an exciting close on Friday, with eight nations confirming their respective places in the quarter-finals of the ongoing competition in Egypt. With the closely contested group phase officially coming to an end and the quarter-finals set to kick off on Monday, CAFOnline takes a look some interesting highlights and statistics of the group phase. Momoh Kamara of Sierra Leone stole the spotlight on an individual level. His clinical finishing saw him top the scoring charts with four goals, putting him in prime position for the Golden Boot. South Africa's Kutlwano Letlhaku's early 8th minute strike against Zambia in their final Group A match is the quickest strike in the group stages. His goal contributed to Amajita being counted amongst the highest scoring teams with 6 goals along with Sierra Leone and reigning champions, Senegal. From stunning long-range strikes to late drama, the group stage delivered memorable moments across all venues. TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 Group Stage Highlights: Top Goalscorer: Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone) – 4 goals Quickest Goal Scored: Kutlwano Letlhaku (South Africa) – 8th minute vs Zambia Team with Most Goals Scored: Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa – 6 goals Team with the best goal difference: Morocco, South Africa - 3 Team with Most Points: Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Sierra Leone – 7 points Team with Least Goals Conceded: Ghana, Zambia - 1 Biggest victory: Sierra Leone 4 – 1 Egypt, South Africa 4 – 1 Sierra Leone Highest scoring matches 5 goals: Sierra Leone 4 – 1 Egypt, South Africa 4 – 1 Sierra Leone Least goals scored: Morocco 0 – 0 Nigeria, Egypt 0 – 0 Zambia
CAF
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON: Éric Chelle's perspective on the future"
The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is not just a competition for young talent; it's a laboratory for the future. And among the most attentive observers is Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle who is closely monitoring the Nigerian U-20 side. Chelle, speaking to CAFOnline expressed his views of the competition and applauded the Nigerians for progressing to the next stage. "I'm very happy with our U20 team's qualification. It wasn't an easy match, because we were up against a very good team (Kenya). We reacted in this match. Every time we conceded a goal, the team responded well." The performance wasn't perfect, Chelle knows. He bluntly points to a physical deficit. "I felt we were a little tired. "It's true that we struggled with our attacking play, but it was a very interesting match to watch." Adding to his views on qualification, the coach emphasised that the importance of this tournament goes far beyond results. "U20 are 19-year-olds, 18-year-olds. These are players who, in a year, or even two years, will be in their country's senior national team. There are good players in this team, there are some in the Kenyan team too. I think it's good to come and watch', says the former Mali coach. What has impressed Chelle even more is the overall framework in which young players are evolving today. The former defender, now a renowned technician, is full of praise for the CAF "I was very pleased to see CAF technicians in the stands analysing the matches. I think CAF is trying to progress, to bring things that are helping our football in Africa to progress." For Chelle, these developments are shaping a more credible, more modern, and above all, more ambitious African football. "We have to make sure we have very strong football, so that we become the number one." While the Nigerian U-20s may not yet possess the collective rigor of a seasoned team, they have already awakened the pride of a demanding coach.
CAF
25-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Dlamini lauds CAF's Protect The Dream programme and fight against fake player agents
Young African players falling victim to prowling fake player agents will soon be history. These were the sentiments shared by CAF Legend, Amanda Dlamini on Thursday, 24 April when speaking to CAFOnline on the sidelines of the ongoing CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 in Accra. Dlamini is amongst a host of legends that are playing a mentorship and support role at the four-day competition involving eight nations in both the boys and girls' divisions of the competition currently underway between 23 – 26 April. As part of its holistic approach to youth football development, CAF has been rolling out a series of workshops at the finals that are designed to educate players on various off the field matters, to ensure that their talent is supported by education. Part of the programmes running parallel to the football action include the Protect The Dream campaign which is supported by CAF's partnership with FIFPro. Through the partnership, young African players are guided on various ways of identifying fake player agents who prey on African players' ambitions of playing professional football. 'I think CAF has really taken a giant step with this important initiative. We come from Africa, very disadvantaged, some of us, also are girls who could fall into the danger. So, you could be very desperate for a contract and be taken advantage of. You could get swept away, and you make some of these mistakes. So, I'm glad CAF emphasizes double-checking, triple-checking, if you have to, and where you can report these fake agents', said the Dlamini. The former Banyana Banyana skipper heaped praise on CAF's invitation of former players who also shared their experiences of encountering fake player agents while in their youth. 'Speaking with some of these legends, they made some of these mistakes. I, too, when I graduated in the United States, thought it was a good contract. And when I had just signed a two-year contract, I had to pay for my own food, my own accommodations. I think hearing these stories, they're not stories that are isolated when you hear from people who are in front of them. I think for CAF to bring us such legends, to be part of the program, they'll understand that these are real-life instances, and they must be careful at all times', she concluded. CAF's "Protect the Dream" programme is a dedicated initiative aimed at safeguarding African football players' careers, health, and well-being. Launched in 2023 under the the CAF Safeguarding programme, it seeks to address the holistic needs of players at all career stages, from emerging talents to retired legends through providing resources and support to ensure safe and fulfilling careers in football.
CAF
25-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF Legendary goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba encouraged by next generation of African shot-stoppers
African football goalkeeping legend, Robert Kidiaba has urged goalkeepers participating at the ongoing CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 finals to not underestimate the significance of their role in a team. Kidiaba, who's acrobatic saves and memorable celebrations for The Leopards go down as one of Africa's fondest football memories was speaking to CAFOnline on the sidelines of the ongoing competition in Accra, where he is amongst a host of legends are providing mentorship and guidance to the youngsters. Speaking to CAFOnline on Thursday, the now 49-year-old former TP Mazembe keeper urged the young shot-stoppers to continue improving their abilities as both keepers and ball playing players, as the modern day goalkeeper plays a huge role in both the team's defense and attack. 'The first role of a keeper is of course to be the last line of defense. However that role has evolved over the years. These days the ball is passed to his feet, and he restarts play. A goalkeeper must direct his defense a lot. A goalkeeper is the one who restarts the game. The modern day keeper must be able to actually play with his feet, in some instances, with both feet because they are now part of the build-up. Previously, keepers would just kick the ball as far as possible, now he needs to be able to spot a run and pass accurately into space' said Kidiaba. The former DRC number one also heaped praise on what he has seen in Accra, saying that it is clear that the next generation of African goalkeepers will be among the best in world football due to their ability to make saves and be a part of play. 'I am quite excited with what I have seen so far. Both boys and girls keepers are very vocal, they can play, they can read the game and organise their defenders. This is what modern day goalkeeping is about and for us to see it done so well at this level, it speaks volumes to the ever-growing standard of African football', he concluded. The CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 continues on Friday where it will be entering the exciting knockout stages of the competition. All matches are live on SuperSport and CAF's official YouTube channel, CAF TV.
CAF
22-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
'We are building a better Africa for our future' Clementine Touré
Not only is the CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 a unique and exciting platform for young African football talent, but the unique approach taken by CAF has future-proofed African football like never before. These were the sentiments shared by Ivorian legend, Clementine Touré sharing her views of the tournament when speaking to CAFOnline on the sidelines of the tournament's draw held in Accra on Monday afternoon. Touré is amongst seven African football greats who have graced the four-day tournament set to take place in Accra between 23 – 26 April, where champions in both the Boys and Girls U-15 divisions will be crowned. Speaking to CAFOnline on Monday, Toure lauded the tournament's unique ability of exposing African talent to international football, making special but mention of CAF's intended efforts of safeguarding African talent through the various programmes that are currently underway. 'This is not just a football competition. It is a learning institution. I believe that today, with this opportunity, we're building something solid. We're developing young people, giving them the chance to grow and protect their interests – that's what we want' said Touré. 'Before, they weren't protected. But today, through this kind of platform, these gatherings, these tournaments, we're trying to provide the best path, the best example, to honour our young African players who have come from all over Africa: North, South, West, and Central Africa. This is the Africa we want' she added. Touré was making special reference to the CAF Safeguarding Officers Programme which is uniquely designed to ensure that young African football talent is protected from any form of abuse or harm. The CAF Safeguarding Officers Programme primarily focuses on equipping appointed Safeguarding Officers with the necessary means and knowledge to first - identify any potential threat or harm that may come the way of young players and women. Secondly, the programme ensures that the participants are knowledgeable on the necessary steps to take in an event of such incidents. Other programmes currently underway in Accra ahead of Wednesday's start include the Young Referees Programme, Young Reporters Programme, Young Medical Officers Programme, Safe & Security Programme, CAF D License Coaching Course as well as other unique capacity building initiatives by CAF. CAF African Schools Football Championship is a first in world football and a bedrock to the vision of CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe of making African football globally competitive and self-sustaining.
