A new era of young African match officials is on the horizon, thanks to the forward-thinking approach of the CAF African Schools Football Championship, an innovative youth football competition aimed at discovering and nurturing talent across the continent.
Following the conclusion of its Zonal Phase, where 12 winners—equally split between boys and girls under the age of 15—earned their place in the upcoming Finals scheduled for May 21st to May 24th, 2024, in Zanzibar, the championship is poised to showcase the next generation of African football stars, both on the field and off.
While the competition provides a platform for young talents to compete internationally, its core focus lies in investing in African youth and developing future leaders, in line with the vision of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
Integral to this vision is the CAF Young Referee’s Programme, which offers teenage boys and girls the opportunity to become involved in refereeing, recognizing that not all aspiring footballers will turn professional. Through practical training sessions led by experienced CAF Refereeing instructors, participants gain a basic understanding of the Laws of the Game, laying the foundation for their future involvement in football officiating.
With each of CAF’s zonal unions conducting a Young Referee’s Programme during the Zonal Qualifiers, the Finals in Zanzibar promise to be an exciting platform for showcasing the talents and potential of the next generation of young African match officials.
