The journey from school fields to the continental stage will take center stage in Stellenbosch, South Africa, as the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier kicks off from December 5–7.
More than a tournament, COSAFA has become a symbol of how school sport can become the launchpad for international success, shaping young athletes not just as players but as leaders of tomorrow.
Record Participation: A Rising School Sport Powerhouse
This year’s edition will see a record 22 teams, 11 boys’ and 11 girls’ squads, representing:
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Just two years ago, at the inaugural event in Malawi (2022),
the numbers were modest, 6 boys’ teams and 5 girls’ teams.
The rapid expansion reflects the region’s growing investment in school-based talent development, showing how football is thriving at the grassroots level.
From School Teams to National School Squads
COSAFA’s evolution mirrors a major shift in youth sport development across Africa.
2022 and earlier: Individual schools represented their countries
Since 2023: Countries select U-15 representative school squads
This transition ensures:
· Broader talent identification
· Equal opportunities across schools
· Structured pathways aligned with CAF’s youth football strategy
· Student-athletes gaining international exposure earlier
The message is clear:
School sport isn’t the end of the journey, it’s where elite pathways begin.
South Africa’s School Football System Sets the Standard
Host nation South Africa enters as the most dominant force in COSAFA school football.
Three consecutive boys’ and girls’ titles
2024 CAF Girls’ continental champions in Zanzibar
Their success demonstrates how a well-structured school sport system
can consistently produce talent capable of winning at the highest level.
More Than Competition: Education, Skills & Character
Alongside on-field battles, students will participate in:
Safeguarding & life-skills workshops
Young Reporters Programme
Referee & coaching clinics
The goal is to build confident, informed, and responsible young leaders not just strong footballers.
Investing Back Into Schools
The initiative is powered by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the Motsepe Foundation,
which has committed USD 10 million to school football development.
Prize money is awarded not to players, but to schools to upgrade facilities, equipment, and learning environments.
COSAFA Qualifier Prize Fund
USD 100,000
USD 75,000
USD 50,000
CAF Continental Finals Prize Fund
USD 300,000
USD 200,000
USD 150,000
It's a model proving that investing in school sport is investing in education and opportunity.
Why COSAFA Matters
For many participants, this tournament represents:
Their first international cap
Their first national duty
The beginning of a structured high-performance journey
COSAFA continues to prove that Africa’s next generation of stars
will rise not only from academies or pro clubs —
but from schools, communities, and classrooms.
Future national heroes start here — wearing school colors before national colors.
Follow WSSN for global school sport pathways, stories, and results.
More info: COSAFA.com
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