CAF U17 GIFT Profiles: Mpopoma Sports Academy & Aguila Stars
The second edition of the Confédération Africaine de Football’s (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) will be staged in Harare, Zimbabwe from December 8–18, 2025, with eight club sides from around the Southern African region competing for the title.
The teams are drawn from across the region for this development initiative, which forms part of CAF’s expansive plans to grow women’s football on the African continent by providing opportunities at all levels for players and coaches.
We have profiled all eight sides, finishing with home side Mpopoma Sports Academy and Zambia’s Aguila Stars.
MPOPOMA SPORTS ACADEMY
Mpopoma Sports Academy will have homeground advantage, of sorts, at the CAF U17 GIFT as the Bulawayo-based side move to Harare for the competition and will no doubt enjoy plenty of support from the stands.
The academy side is coached by Evans Neta and are relatively new as a team, but have plenty of ambition.
“We are happy to be selected, and the girls are in high spirits. We are working flat out not to disappoint the nation,” Neta told ZBC.Club chairperson James Rugwevera says they are delighted to be taking part and that the CAF U17 GIFT is a superb platform for players to be seen.
“We are happy for the honour. We are firm believers in nurturing talent, and we hope to utilise the opportunity for visibility of the players,” he said.
One of the key players for Mpopoma Sports Academy will be Tatenda Gambiza, 15, who represented Zimbabwe at the COSAFA Girls Under-17 Championship earlier this year.
“We are ready for the tournament,” she said. “We do not want to add numbers, but we are going to win the tournament and do the nation proud.
“For me, the tournament is not just a tournament as I have represented the country on four occasions, and I know how it feels.”
Mpopoma Sports Academy open their campaign at the Ngoni Stadium against Namibia’s Otjiwarongo Sports Academy on 8 December at 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT).
They also have Luwinga Academy from Malawi and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in their pool.
Fixtures:
08 Dec, 15:00: Mpopoma Sports Academy vs Otjiwarongo Sports Academy
11 Dec, 15:00: Mpopoma Sports Academy vs Luwinga Academy
14 Dec, 15:00: Mpopoma Sports Academy vs Mamelodi Sundowns
AGUILA STARS
Lusaka-based Aguila Stars have only recently introduced a women’s team at the club but made great strides in a short space of time.
“This remains at the core of our existence, to continue to impact our young girls positively through sport by providing a supportive, community-oriented environment,” club CEO Mwandi Kameme told Bola News recently.
“There is an opportunity for us as a football club to give an opportunity for that young girl to develop her skill and grow in character.”
They have been further recognised with an invitation to the CAF U17 GIFT in Harare, and are delighted to take up the opportunity.
“This milestone is a proud moment for the Aguila family and a testament to the growth of young female talent in our club,” the club said in a statement. “Representing us on such a significant stage is a remarkable achievement, and we have full confidence in our young Eagles as they carry our badge with pride.
“We stand firmly behind our girls as they prepare to face top academies and clubs from across Southern Africa.”
Aguila Stars open their Group B campaign against Namibia’s Okakarara Golden Ladies on 9 December at 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT). They also have Lesotho side Lishoeshoe and South Africa’s Refilwe FC in their pool.
Fixtures:
09 Dec, 15:00: Aguila Stars vs Okakarara Golden Ladies
12 Dec, 15:00: Aguila Stars vs Lishoeshoe
15 Dec, 15:00: Aguila Stars vs Refilwe FC