TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations winning Super Eagle, Daniel Amokachi says he is encouraged by the future of the African game.
Amokachi, which is in Zanzibar as one of the CAF Legends invited to the CAF African Schools Football Champions Continental Finals was speaking from the sidelines of the draw that took place on Sunday ahead of the start of the four-day tournament set to take place at the Amaan Stadium between 21 – 24 May.
The Nigerian legend who was also at the recent TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire as a commentator and analyst said the growth of the African game in recent years has been truly exceptional, adding that initiatives such as the CAF African Schools Football Championship further aid the development and growth of African football.
“One has to commend the scale of this event. You are talking about over 800 000 learners participating across Africa. Also looking at the prize money involved, it will help in the development of school sport and development in Africa. Such competitions contribute significantly to the growth of football in Africa and as many witnessed at the recent AFCON, African football is on an exciting rise across all sectors and having a strong foundation such as this tournament can only benefit the African football”, said an elated Amokachi.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship is a first in world football, featuring school going boys and girls under the age of 15 competing internationally against each other in a tournament that also affords them unique self-development skills and knowledge through the programme’s unique capacity building initiatives.
“CAF is also allowing these youngsters to dream about other careers in football such as being a coach, being a referee or even being a media practitioner through the different programmes that happen on the sidelines of the tournament which is great because we know that not all aspiring players will be professional, but CAF is saying here are other football avenues that you can also look into” said Amokachi.
The Nigerian football legend was also encouraged by the use of young and aspiring match officials to officiate the at the finals.
All match officials at the four-day tournament are under the age of 25.
“The amazing part for me is the use of young referees who have been part of the programme. This shows that CAF is serious about development in all spheres and shows commitment to development at grassroots level across the entire continent” concluded Amokachi.
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