St Mary’s -Kitende focus Now on CAF African Schools Football Championship 2024 finals

By Emmanuel Sekago

The spotlight now falls on St. Mary’s Kitende Uganda representative in the Boys category  as they gear up for the highly anticipated CAF African Schools Football Championship 2024 Finals.

Set to be hosted at the recently refurbished Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, the awe-striking tourist destination that lies on the outskirts of Tanzania and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

The stage is set for an exhilarating showcase of talent and skill from some of the best young footballers across the continent.

From May 21st to May 24th, 2024, St. Mary’s Kitende will have the opportunity to test their mettle against formidable opponents from schools across Africa.

This prestigious tournament promises to be a thrilling display of passion, determination, and sportsmanship as teams compete for the coveted title of African Schools Football Champions.

For St. Mary’s Kitende, the road to the finals has been paved with hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.

Now, as they prepare to represent Uganda on the continental stage, their focus is sharper than ever. With rigorous training, strategic planning, and a unity of purpose, they are poised to make their mark and leave a lasting impression at the championship.

The recently refurbished Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar provides the perfect backdrop for this prestigious event.

With state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant atmosphere, it promises to be an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike. St. Mary’s Kitende will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on a grand stage and make their school, their community, and their country proud.

It should be noted that CAF President, Dr Motsepe and a number of African Football legends will attend the Finals of the 2024 edition of the competition that will feature winners from Regional/ Zonal Qualifiers.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship features Boys and Girls under the age of 15. It is a first for world football and a brainchild of CAF President Dr Motsepe – in line with his vision of Investing in the Youth of Africa.

Building from the success of its inaugural edition, this season has seen a 40% spike in participation, with 804,480 young African boys and girls from 28,862 schools across 44 countries taking part in the second season of the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

Coupled with its platform of giving youngsters the opportunity to compete internationally, the competition has a parallel capacity-building programme affording scholars, coaches and educators unique capacity-building skills.

Throughout the Zonal Qualifiers, CAF has rolled out various capacity-building programmes which included the Young Reporters Programme, Young Referee Programme, Young Medical Officers Programme, CAF D License Coaching Course, as well as the CAF Safeguarding workshops.

Similar to last season, the CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals is expected to be attended by some of CAF’s Legends to help inspire and encourage the aspiring footballers.

Winners of both the Boys’ and Girls’ competition will each receive USD 300 000 prize money, runners-up each receiving USD 200 000, while the bronze medallists will each take home USD 150 00, courtesy of CAF’s partnership with the Motsepe Foundation to be utilised for development projects within schools.

As the countdown to the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2024 Finals begins, St. Mary’s Kitende is ready to rise to the occasion. With determination in their hearts and a hunger for victory, they are prepared to give their all and compete with honor, integrity, and sportsmanship.

The journey ahead may be challenging, but with faith in their abilities and the support of their fans, they are ready to write their names in the annals of African football history.

Meanwhile, To qualify for the final St Marys Kitende  defeated Tanzania 4-2 via post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final.