A seven-member inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has concluded its assessment of facilities in Nigeria ahead of the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The delegation, led by Omar Amr (Safeguarding), carried out inspections at key venues including the Remo Stars Sports Institute, FC Ebedei Stadium and its supporting facilities, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, and the Babcock University Guest House.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 competition designed to drive grassroots football development and promote education across Africa.
The tournament is backed by a $10 million investment from the Patrice Motsepe Foundation and features zonal qualifiers that culminate in a continental final tournament.
Speaking during the visit, Amr informed officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the management of the Remo Stars Sports Institute that 24 teams are expected at the 2025/26 finals — the largest Final Phase since the competition’s inception in 2022.
The tournament will feature eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across Africa, alongside eight invited teams from another FIFA confederation.
CAF officials on the inspection team included Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC Officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), as well as WAFU B Executive Director, Philippe Tchere. They were guided round the facilities by NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, alongside Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola (GM, Beyond Limits Football Academy) and Mr Michael Onikute.
The 2024 finals were staged in Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania’s boys’ team and Ghana’s girls’ team emerged champions.
Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development support, while the competition also partners with organisations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote health education.
The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship is scheduled for April.
At the conclusion of the inspection, CAF officials expressed strong satisfaction with the facilities. One of the inspectors described the Remo Stars Sports Institute as the best facility he has seen anywhere in West Africa, commending the infrastructure and overall standard of the complex.
