CAF Lauds Remo Stars’ Infrastructure in Schools Championship Assessment

Officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have praised the facilities provided by Kunle Soname and Remo Stars FC following the conclusion of an inspection tour ahead of Nigeria’s bid to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.

A seven-member CAF inspection team, led by Omar Amr, concluded a two-day assessment on Wednesday after evaluating facilities at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, the FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, and accommodation facilities at the Babcock University Guest House.

Speaking at the end of the exercise, CAF officials expressed strong satisfaction with the quality, standard and readiness of the facilities, describing them as outstanding by continental standards.

One member of the delegation told the President of Remo Stars FC and proprietor of the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Kunle Soname, that the complex was the finest football development facility he had seen anywhere in West Africa.

The inspection was part of CAF’s evaluation process for the Final Phase of the African Schools Football Championship, an annual U15 competition launched four years ago to promote youth football development and education across Africa.

The tournament is backed by a $10 million investment from the Motsepe Foundation, owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to a continental finals event.

Amr informed officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Remo Stars Sports Institute that a total of 24 teams are expected at the finals, which would make it the biggest edition since the competition began in 2022. The lineup will include eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across Africa, as well as eight invited teams from another FIFA confederation.

The CAF delegation comprised Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (African Schools Football Championship Officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing and Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel and Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety and Security), Hend Thabet (Travel and Accommodation), alongside the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere.

They were accompanied during the inspection by NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, with support from Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola, General Manager of Beyond Limits Football Academy, and Michael Onikute.

CAF officials also highlighted the broader impact of the championship, noting its partnerships with organisations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, particularly in promoting health education among young players. Winners of the tournament are entitled to infrastructural development grants of up to $300,000.

The last edition of the finals was hosted by Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania emerged as champions in the boys’ category, and Ghana claimed the girls’ title.

The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship is scheduled to take place in April, with CAF officials indicating that the facilities inspected in Ogun State have set a high benchmark for hosting elite youth football competitions on the continent.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H