Take your opportunity: Amanda Dlamini challenges players ahead of CAF African Schools Football Championship, Zimbabwe 2026
CAF Football Legend, Amanda Dlamini has challenged participants at the fourth edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zimbabwe 2026, to seize their moment and use the competition as a springboard for their careers.
Dlamini, who earned over 100 caps for South Africa, believes tournaments of this nature play a crucial role in laying the foundation for a successful football journey.
Speaking to CAFOnline in Harare, the former international, now a seasoned broadcaster and sharing her knowledge with the next generation of aspiring broadccasters at the CAF Young Reporters Programme taking place on the sidelines of the competition, Dlamini highlighted the importance of youth competitions in shaping her own career.
“I stand here as a true testament of what grassroots football can do in football. Youth football has been a gateway of opportunities, and I am hoping that everyone involved can take up this opportunity. I saw in Tanzania and Ghana just how much everyone involved cherished the opportunity,” Dlamini said.
“There will be lots of coaches watching from clubs to the national teams and there’s possibility of transfers and scouting. This is a big platform.”
In the girls’ competition, hosts Zimbabwe have been drawn against Morocco, Zambia and DR Congo in Group A, while Group B will see defending champions Ghana battle Guinea, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
“I am looking forward to the competition which promises to be exciting. Ghana have had good teams and I am looking forward to see how they fare in that tough group while the hosts also have their work cut out in a group that has Morocco, who have been quite strong in talent development,” Dlamini said, looking forward to the girls’ group.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship continues to serve as a flagship programme aimed at nurturing young talent while promoting education and community development across the continent.
The winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will receive USD 300,000, while runners-up will earn USD 200,000 and third-placed teams USD 150,000. These funds are allocated to support development projects within participating schools, ensuring a lasting legacy beyond the competition.
