Zambian ‘double’ at CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025
It was a Boys and Girls ‘double’ for Zambia in the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025 on Sunday after they claimed both finals in a historic triumph at the Idas Valley Sports Complex in Stellenbosch.
South Africa had won the Boys and Girls competitions in the previous three editions, but Zambia ended that run and will represent the region at the continental finals next year.
It ends a fantastic three days of football that showcased the region’s quality and the future stars that will emerge from Southern Africa.
South Africa opened the scoring in the Boys final when the Zambian keeper spilled a routine take from a free-kick, allowing a tap-in for Nasri Idris.
But Zambia equalised before halftime after a lovely through-ball played Michael Chalinda in on goal and he slipped the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.
A long ball early in the second half was not dealt with by the South African defence and Maxen Msimuko raced clear to slot the ball into the back of the net for the winner.
Zambia take home USD 100,000 in prize-money and South Africa receive USD 75,000.
In the Boys’ bronze medal match, after a goalless first half Eswatini took the lead in the second period as Sivikelwe Sibandze headed in from close range after Malawi failed to clear the ball in the box.
But Malawi pulled level after an own goal with five minutes remaining, sending the game to penalties.
Eswatini claimed the shoot-out 4-3 to take the USD 50,000 prize for the bronze medal.
Zambia’s Maxen Msimuko won the Player of the Tournament prize, while compatriot Charles Sitali took home the Golden Boot after scoring four goals.
The Golden Glove for best keeper went to Zambia’s Christopher Wamudila and Malawi won the Fair Play award.
Zambia made more history by claiming the Girls title for the first time, ending South Africa’s three-year dominance with a 1-0 victory over the hosts in the final.
Zambia took the lead in the first half after a scramble in the South African box following a free-kick that came back off the crossbar.
South Africa were unable to clear and Matildah Hambulo’s low shot found its way into the back of the net.
Zambia also claimed the USD 100,000 first prize, with South Africa receiving USD 75,000 again.
There was some consolation for Malawi as they took third place in the Girls competition when they defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the bronze-medal clash.
Malawi took the lead thanks to a superb free-kick from captain Talandira Kachala, but Zimbabwe hit back through a free-kick from their own skipper, Dee Mapuwa.
But Malawi claimed the victory when Tryness Chawala fired in a low shot across goal on the run, and they go home with USD 50,000.
The Player of the Tournament in the Girls competition went to Zambia’s Hilda Kangwa, while the Golden Boot was claimed by compatriot Dee Mapuwa for her six goals.
Zambia’s Winfridah Mutale claimed the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper, while Malawi took home the Fair Play award.
CAF sponsor TotalEnergies provided four sets of home kits to the winners of each competition, alogn with a Sunshine 24″ TV, and a solar lighting, charging and entertainment system.
South Africa received the same donations as the host nation of the competition.
Eswatini took the bronze medal in the Boys third-place play-off after they defeated Malawi on penalties.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship has been spearheaded by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, with the Motsepe Foundation providing a USD 10-million investment into the competition.
The current holders of the continental title in the Boys competition are Tanzania, while the Girls champions are Ghana.
The 2025 finals were played in Accra, Ghana, and the winners each walked away with USD 300,000 in prize money. The runners-up received USD 200,000, while the bronze medallists took home USD 150,000.
This prize money is to be used for infrastructure development at schools, and many teams have invested in educational and sporting aids for their learners.
BOYS FIXTURES/RESULTS
Times are CAT (GMT+2)
Group Stage
South Africa 1-0 Namibia – Group A
Zimbabwe 2-1 Mozambique – Group A
Zambia 4-1 Eswatini – Group B
Malawi 2-1 Lesotho – Group C
South Africa 1-1 Mozambique – Group A
Namibia 0-2 Zimbabwe – Group A
Eswatini 3-0 Comoros – Group B
Lesotho 0-1 Botswana – Group C
South Africa 2-0 Zimbabwe – Group A
Mozambique 0-0 Namibia – Group A
Zambia 6-0 Comoros – Group B
Malawi 1-0 Botswana – Group C
Groups B & C Third-Place Crossover Play-Off
Comoros 2-1 Lesotho
Groups B & C Second-Place Crossover Play-Off
Zimbabwe 1-0 Botswana
Semi-finals
South Africa 2-0 Eswatini
Zambia 3-0 Malawi
Third-Place Play-Off
Eswatini (4)1-1(3) Malawi
Final
South Africa 1-2 Zambia
BOYS TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches played: 18
Goals scored: 43
Biggest win: Zambia 6-0 Comoros (December 6, Group B)
Most goals in a game: 6 – Zambia 6-0 Comoros (December 6, Group B)
GIRLS FIXTURES/RESULTS
Group Stage
South Africa 4-1 Namibia – Group A
Zimbabwe 6-1 Mozambique – Group A
Zambia 6-0 Eswatini – Group B
Malawi 5-0 Lesotho – Group C
South Africa 4-0 Mozambique – Group A
Namibia 0-3 Zimbabwe – Group A
Eswatini 6-0 Comoros – Group B
Lesotho 2-1 Botswana – Group C
South Africa 3-1 Zimbabwe – Group A
Mozambique 1-0 Namibia – Group A
Zambia 11-0 Comoros – Group B
Malawi 2-0 Botswana – Group C
Groups B & C Third-Place Crossover Play-Off
Comoros 0-5 Botswana
Groups B & C Second-Place Crossover Play-Off
Eswatini 0-2 Lesotho
Semi-finals
South Africa (4)1-1(3) Zimbabwe
Zambia 2-0 Malawi
Third-Place Play-Off
Zimbabwe 1-2 Malawi
Final
South Africa 0-1 Zambia
GIRLS TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches played: 18
Goals scored: 72
Biggest win: Zambia 11-0 Comoros (December 6, Group B)
Most goals in a game: 11 – Zambia 11-0 Comoros (December 6, Group B)
Doublé de la Zambie
La Zambie s’est sacrée championne masculine et féminine de la phase régionale du Championnat africain scolaire de football de la CAF | COSAFA 2025/26, qui s’est achevée ce dimanche dans la ville sud‑africaine de Stellenbosch, réalisant un doublé historique qui a détrôné l’hôte Afrique du Sud, tenante du titre dans les deux catégories.
Dans la finale masculine, les Sud‑Africains ont mieux entamé la rencontre et ouvert le score par Nasri Idris, après une parade incomplète du gardien zambien sur suite d’un coup franc direct. La réaction de la Zambie fut rapide : avant la mi‑temps, Michael Chalinda reçut une passe en profondeur et, face au gardien, rétablit l’égalité avec sang‑froid. Le tournant survint au début de la deuxième période, lorsqu’un long dégagement exposa la défense locale et que Maxen Msimiko se trouva seul pour inscrire le 2–1 décisif, scellant le deuxième titre de la journée pour les Zambiens.
Grâce à cette victoire, la Zambie remporte le premier prix de 100 000 dollars, tandis que l’Afrique du Sud touche 75 000 dollars en tant que dauphin. Pour la petite finale, Eswatini et le Malawi ont fait match nul 1–1 dans le temps réglementaire, avec un but de Sivikelwe Sibandze et un but contre son camp dans les dernières minutes. Aux tirs au but, Eswatini l’a emporté 4–3, assurant la troisième place et le prix de 50 000 dollars.
La supériorité zambienne s’est aussi traduite dans les récompenses individuelles. Maxen Msimiko a été élu Joueur du Tournoi, Charles Sitali, auteur de quatre buts, a remporté le Soulier d’Or, et Christopher Wamudila a reçu la distinction de Gardien d’Or. Le prix Fair‑Play a été attribué au Malawi.
En finale féminine, la sélection zambienne a écrit une page inédite en remportant pour la première fois le tournoi régional, mettant fin à la domination sud‑africaine qui durait depuis trois éditions consécutives. La rencontre s’est décidée sur un seul but. À la suite d’un coup franc qui a heurté la barre transversale et provoqué la confusion dans la surface, Matildah Hambulo a profité de la reprise pour marquer le 0–1 qui a assuré la victoire et le trophée.
Comme chez les garçons, la Zambie a reçu 100 000 dollars, tandis que l’Afrique du Sud a encaissé 75 000 dollars comme vice‑championne. La petite finale a vu le Malawi s’imposer face au Zimbabwe 2–1. Talandira Kachala a donné l’avantage aux Malawiennes sur coup franc direct, Dee Winnie Mapuwa a égalisé pour le Zimbabwe, mais Tryness Chawala a décidé la rencontre dans les toutes dernières minutes, assurant le prix de 50 000 dollars.
Dans les distinctions individuelles féminines, Hilda Kangwa (Zambie) a été désignée Joueur du Tournoi, Winfridah Mutale a reçu les Gants d’Or et le Soulier d’Or est revenu à Dee Winnie Mapuwa (Zimbabwe), avec six buts. Comme dans la compétition masculine, le prix Fair‑Play a été remis au Malawi.
Organisé sous la présidence du Dr Patrice Motsepe, président de la CAF, et soutenu par un investissement global de 10 millions de dollars de la Fondation Motsepe, le Championnat africain scolaire de football s’affirme comme une puissante plateforme de détection et de développement des jeunes talents. Les primes financières attribuées à cette phase régionale sont destinées à l’amélioration des infrastructures et des programmes éducatifs dans les écoles participantes, renforçant l’aspect social et formatif de la compétition.
Au niveau continental, les actuels champions restent la Tanzanie (masculin) et le Ghana (féminin), vainqueurs de la dernière phase finale africaine à Accra ; mais c’est à Stellenbosch que la Zambie a laissé la marque la plus forte en soulevant les deux trophées régionaux, témoignant de la progression et de l’affirmation du football scolaire zambien dans la région COSAFA.
Dobradinha da Zâmbia no CAF African Schools | COSAFA 2025
A Zâmbia sagrou-se campeã em masculinos e femininos na Fase Regional do Campeonato Africano de Futebol Escolar da CAF | COSAFA 2025/26, encerrada este domingo na cidade sul-africana de Stellenbosch, consumando uma dobradinha histórica que destronou a anfitriã África do Sul, campeã em título nas duas categorias.
Na final masculina, os sul-africanos entraram melhor e abriram o marcador por Nasri Idris, após uma defesa incompleta do guarda-redes zambiano na sequência de um livre directo. A reacção da Zâmbia foi rápida: ainda antes do intervalo, Michael Chalinda recebeu um passe em profundidade e, frente ao guarda-redes, restabeleceu a igualdade com frieza. A reviravolta surgiu no início da segunda parte, quando um lançamento longo expôs a defesa anfitriã e Maxen Msimiko apareceu isolado para marcar o 2–1 decisivo, selando o segundo título do dia para os zambianos.
Com a vitória, a Zâmbia arrecadou o prémio principal de 100 mil dólares, enquanto a África do Sul recebeu 75 mil dólares pelo segundo lugar. No jogo de atribuição do bronze, Eswatini e Malawi empataram 1–1 no tempo regulamentar, com golos de Sivikelwe Sibandze e um autogolo nos minutos finais. Nos penáltis, Eswatini venceu por 4–3, assegurando o terceiro lugar e o prémio de 50 mil dólares.
A supremacia da Zâmbia ficou também patente nos galardões individuais. Maxen Msimiko foi eleito Jogador do Torneio, Charles Sitali, com quatro golos apontados, conquistou a Bota de Ouro, e Christopher Wamudila recebeu a distinção de Guarda-redes de Ouro. O prémio de Fair Play foi atribuído ao Malawi.
Na final feminina, a selecção zambiana escreveu uma página inédita ao vencer pela primeira vez o torneio regional, terminando com uma hegemonia sul-africana de três edições consecutivas. O jogo foi decidido por um único golo. Na sequência de um livre que embateu no travessão e gerou confusão na grande área, Matildah Hambulo aproveitou a recarga para fazer o 0–1 que garantiu a vitória e o troféu.
Tal como nos rapazes, a Zâmbia recebeu 100 mil dólares, enquanto a África do Sul encaixou 75 mil dólares como vice-campeã. A disputa do terceiro lugar terminou com o triunfo do Malawi sobre o Zimbabwe por 2–1. Talandira Kachala colocou as malawianas em vantagem de livre directo, Dee Winnie Mapuwa empatou para o Zimbabwe, mas Tryness Chawala decidiu a partida já na recta final, assegurando o prémio de 50 mil dólares.
Nos prémios individuais femininos, Hilda Kangwa (Zâmbia) foi distinguida como Jogadora do Torneio, Winfridah Mutale recebeu a Luvas de Ouro e a Bota de Ouro ficou para Dee Winnie Mapuwa (Zimbabwe), com seis golos. À semelhança da prova masculina, o Fair Play foi entregue ao Malawi.
Organizado sob a liderança do presidente da CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, e apoiado por um investimento global de 10 milhões de dólares da Fundação Motsepe, o Campeonato Africano de Futebol Escolar tem vindo a afirmar-se como uma poderosa plataforma de captação e desenvolvimento de jovens talentos. Os prémios financeiros atribuídos nesta fase regional destinam-se à melhoria de infra-estruturas e programas educativos nas escolas participantes, reforçando a vertente social e formativa da competição.
Enquanto, a nível continental, os actuais campeões são a Tanzânia (masculinos) e o Gana (femininos), vencedores da última fase final africana em Acra, foi em Stellenbosch que a Zâmbia deixou a sua marca mais forte, ao erguer os dois troféus regionais numa demonstração clara de crescimento e afirmação do futebol escolar zambiano na região da COSAFA.
