–BY Grace Zigah
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has arrived in Ghana ahead of the finals of the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship (ASFC) and a series of critical meetings with key stakeholders in African football and Ghanaian leadership.
Dr. Motsepe touched down in Accra in the early hours of Saturday, April 26, 2025, and was warmly received by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, alongside GFA Vice President, Mark Addo.
His visit marks a pivotal moment in the tournament’s calendar and in CAF’s broader efforts to strengthen ties across the continent and develop youth football.
The CAF President’s itinerary is packed with engagements., Dr. Motsepe addressed the media at a press conference scheduled at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
Following the media briefing, he proceeded to the Jubilee House for an official meeting with the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama. Discussions were expected to center around the development of football infrastructure, youth sports initiatives, and future CAF collaborations with Ghana.
As part of his visit, Dr. Motsepe will also meet with CAF’s Vice-Presidents before chairing an Executive Committee meeting.
The ExCo meeting was seen as crucial, particularly given the ongoing reforms in African football and the expanding importance of grassroots tournaments like the ASFC.
Beyond the boardrooms, Dr. Motsepe was also taking time to engage with the future of sports journalism.
He is set to attend a mixed zone session with participants from the Young Reporters Workshop, a CAF initiative aimed at building the next generation of African sports media professionals.
The workshop has run alongside the ASFC tournament and has provided young journalists with firsthand experience covering a continental sporting event.
The day will culminate at the University of Ghana Stadium, where Dr. Motsepe will attend the finals of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The girls’ final will see host nation Ghana face Uganda, while the boys’ final promises a thrilling contest between defending champions Tanzania and a strong Senegal side.
Dr. Motsepe will also take part in the closing ceremony, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to nurturing talent from the grassroots level.
The ASFC, launched as part of CAF’s broader youth football development strategy, has quickly become a key platform for unearthing young footballing talent across Africa.
Ghana’s hosting of the 2025 edition marks another significant milestone, following successful events in other parts of the continent.
The championship has also highlighted stories of rising stars, such as Ghana’s Jennifer Awuku, whose late winner against Morocco secured her team’s place in the final, and John Andor, who has captured attention with his flair, citing Brazilian star Neymar as his inspiration.
The tournament has not been without its challenges. Ghana’s boys’ team narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a hard-fought semi-final loss to Tanzania, and will now contest for bronze.
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm and competitiveness displayed have underscored the importance of investing in youth tournaments as a pipeline for future continental and global stars.
