Milo U-13 Champions League returns after five-year break
The prestigious Milo U-13 Champions League is back after a five-year absence, reigniting one of Ghana’s most successful grass-roots football platforms and opening the door for more than 100,000 schoolchildren across all 16 regions to compete for regional and national glory.
Organised by Nestlé Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and endorsed by the Ghana Football Association, the revived competition will see boys and girls aged between 9 and 13 battle through a rigorous three-phase structure—District, Zonal and National Finals—for a coveted place among the country’s rising football stars.
More than 20,000 players will participate at the Zonal level, with the top 16 schools advancing to the National Finals.
The ultimate showdown is scheduled for the Paa Joe Park at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi from December 2 -7, 2025.
A nostalgic relaunch
Last Friday’s official launch at the Nestlé Ghana Headquarters in Accra served up a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
Guests were treated to a moving documentary revisiting the competition’s 2016–2019 era—its last run before the hiatus—reminding all of its impact on youth football development.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of a refreshed competition logo and the presentation of the trophy to be contested, donated by none other than Ghanaian football icon, Abedi Ayew Pele.
But the biggest fanfare came with the introduction of the tournament’s ambassadors — former Black Stars captains Stephen Appiah and André “Dede” Ayew. Both football legends, speaking separately, expressed excitement about mentoring the next generation of players and helping maintain the tournament’s reputation as a cradle for future stars.
To enrich the ambience, organisers mounted a legacy wall featuring photos from previous editions and created a trophy tunnel that doubled as a media zone and photo-op spot for young fans.
Taking up his role as one of the faces of the 2025 edition, André “Dede” Ayew struck an emotional chord with a message filled with pride, gratitude and encouragement.
“This tournament is more than a competition; it is a platform that has shaped dreams, discovered stars and built confidence in many young talents across Ghana," he said.
Speaking directly to the young hopefuls, he urged them to chase excellence through discipline, respect, hard work, teamwork and self-belief—values he credited for shaping his own footballing journey.
He encouraged them to “play with confidence, enjoy the experience, learn from challenges, and pursue their dreams without limitation.”
Commitment to youth development
The MD of Nestlé Ghana, Salomé Azevedo, reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to using sport, particularly football, as a catalyst for shaping young lives.
She highlighted the company's 20-year partnership with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to promote grass-roots sports through a tournament that has unearthed standout talents, including Abdul Majeed Waris, Fatawu Issahaku and Kelvin Nkrumah.
