African Schools Football Championship: Black Damsels conquer Africa again
Ghana's Black Damsels 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.
The Damsels 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.
It was double delight for Ghanaian heroine Christian Ashiaku, who was named Player of the Tournament. Burkina Faso’s Naffisatou Zabre won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament (Golden Glove) accolade, while Zambia’s Phida Muzuwa’s five goals were enough to see her clinch the Golden Boot Award.
Apart from the winner's trophy and individual honours, Ghana also took away the $300,000 prize money at stake.
Following the triumph, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, congratulated the Football Association and its President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, describing the achievement as remarkable and attributing the success to the talent and discipline of the players, as well as the leadership guiding football development in Ghana.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to their talent, discipline and determination and to your excellent leadership,” the CAF President stated in his message to Ghana FA chief, Mr Simeon-Okraku.
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.
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 won the Golden Boot prize after scoring five goals.
Awards
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)
