École Moderne and ITC Djelo Binza crowned champions at CAF Festival – KinFoot 2025
The National Pedagogical University (UPN) came alive this weekend with the sounds of football, music, and celebration. On the final day of the CAF Festival – KinFoot 2025, held ahead of the 47ᵗʰ CAF General Assembly, the Congolese capital turned into a vibrant stage where school football blended seamlessly with joy, culture, and community spirit.
From the entrance gates, the mood was unmistakable: chants, dances, and popular songs accompanied every moment on the pitch. Students, gathered in large numbers to support their schools, turned every dribble and every shot on target into a shared celebration.
Over the course of three days, nearly 150 youngsters representing 16 schools from across Kinshasa brought the tournament to life.
The girls’ final offered a tightly contested match, with École Moderne de Ngaliema edging LTP Ngaliema 1-0. A solitary but decisive goal secured the title for École Moderne.
In the boys’ competition, suspense carried through to the very end. ITC Djelo Binza and ITP Ngaliema could not be separated in regular time (0-0), forcing a penalty shoot-out. Amid chants, drums, and cheers, Djelo Binza triumphed 4-2, sparking euphoric celebrations.
Beyond the competition, KinFoot 2025 served as an open-air classroom. Workshops introduced youngsters not only to the fundamentals of the game but also to refereeing and the values of respect and fair play. On adjacent pitches, teenagers experienced the challenge of officiating matches in front of their peers.
“We wanted to show that refereeing is also part of the game, and that there are other pathways into football,” explained Geneviève Lukusa, Head of the Referees’ Department at the Congolese Football Federation.
Parents also played a vital role in the event.
“We see our children giving everything on the field and, above all, having fun. This is an excellent activity. The festival should take place every weekend because the atmosphere is fantastic,” said Pascaline, mother of Pierre-Michaël, a pupil from Saint Christophe.
Meanwhile, educators benefited from training sessions held in the days leading up to the competition, exchanging ideas on teaching methods and youth development.
As the 2025 edition drew to a close, the CAF Festival left behind much more than winners and runners-up. It gifted Kinshasa lasting memories.
The CAF Festival – KinFoot 2025 has reaffirmed itself as a landmark event, demonstrating the power of School’s Football as a tool for education and social cohesion.
