Will South Africa achieve three-peat in CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier?
The CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier for the 2024/25 season kicks off in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Friday, 11 October.
A total of eight teams, comprising both boys and girls from the Southern African region, will compete for a coveted spot in the continental finals of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.
Since taking office as the President of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the Motsepe Foundation have made substantial contributions to the tournament, now entering its third edition, with significant investments in its development.
“Schools football is at the heart of the long-term development and growth of African football,” Motsepe said.
“One of the best investments that we can make to ensure that African football is amongst the best in the world is to invest in schools’ football and football infrastructure for boys and girls at school, amateur and professional level.”
This year marks the third edition of the U15 regional qualifiers, following the events held in Malawi in 2022 and Zimbabwe in 2023, both of which were won by South Africa, in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions. Team South Africa is therefore aiming for a historic three-peat in the regional qualifiers.
The South African girls’ team was awarded the title of continental champions for the 2023/24 season earlier this year. Under the guidance of coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo, the team defeated Morocco in a penalty shootout, winning 5-4 following a 1-1 draw after regular time at the Amaan Stadium in Tanzania, which was filled to capacity.
South Africa’s girls’ team will be competing without Katlego Malebana, who previously led them to victory. Malebana, a remarkable young talent, was instrumental in South Africa’s victory at the CAF African Schools Football Championship held in Tanzania. She also earned the title of Player of the Tournament during the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier in Zimbabwe last year.
Her talents have been recognized, as she was awarded the GSport4girls School Sport Star of the Year in September. She was also added to the Tuks senior team for the remainder of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League season.
While her absence will be keenly felt by Team South Africa, the inclusion of Akhona Simamane, who plays for Lindelani Ladies FC in the top tier of South African women’s football, along with Nomfundo Nzuza, who was also part of the gold medal-winning team, will enhance the already impressive line-up of Team South Africa.
Both South Africa’s boys’ and girls’ teams have been placed in Group B, where they will be competing against Zimbabwe, Angola and Eswatini. The hosts, Namibia, are grouped with Malawi, Zambia and Lesotho in Group A
