Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title, while Senegal claimed the boys’ crown, as the two West African nations emerged as the top performers at the fourth edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Both finals were decided by penalties after identical 0–0 draws in regulation time, underscoring the tightly contested nature of this season’s tournament.
Ghana endured a tense shootout against Burkina Faso to win 9-8 in sudden death. The first five kicks had gone even at 4-4, but the Ghanaian girls held their nerves to score the most decisive kick.
In the boys’ finale, Senegal turned their silver from last year to gold, as they edged out Uganda in another tense shootout, winning 5-4. Senegal’s goalkeeper Prosper Pereira was their hero as he saved the last kick, with his teammates having remained perfect.
Zambia finished third in the women’s contest. Phidah Muzuwa’s header from a corner and Catherine Kaployo’s second were enough to see them beat Morocco 2-0. Benin finished third in the men’s competition, Abel Mevowanou scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Morocco.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Christian Ashiaku was named player of the tournament, with Burkina Faso’s Naffisatou Zabre winning the keeper of the tournament accolade. Zambia’s Phida Muzuwa’s five goals were enough to see her clinch the golden boot award.
Senegal skipper Bara Gueye was named the men’s Player of the Tournament, while his teammate Pereira was named Goalkeeper of the tournament, his penalty save in the final having helped the team clinch the title.
Uganda’s Owen Mukisa was the golden boot winner, having scored five goals.
CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals individual trophies
Girls
- Fair Play: Zambia
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Naffisatou Zabre (Zambia)
- Top Goalscorer: Phil Muzuwa (Zambia) – 5 Goals
- Player of the Tournament: Christiana Ashiaku (Ghana)
Boys
- Fair Play: Morocco
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Prosper Pareira (Senegal)
- Top Goalscorer: Owen Mukisa (Uganda) – 5 Goals
- Player of the Tournament: Bara Gueye (Senegal)
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
