International Football
Nigeria to feature as stage set for CAF African Schools Football Championship Zonal Qualifiers
The anticipation is high as the West African Football Union (WAFU) B Zone is gearing up to host the upcoming edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship from Thursday.
The WAFU B Zone kicks off the Zonal Phase of the competition, with the five countries vying for top honors in both the boys and girls U15 categories in the bustling capital of Togo between 24 – 26 November at the Stade Municipal.
The tournament, a brainchild of CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, promises an exciting showcase of youth football talent and international camaraderie.
This season marks a significant milestone in the championship’s growth, with over 800,000 young African boys and girls from more than 28,000 schools across 44 countries participating.
The competition is structured into three phases: National, Zonal, and Continental – providing a platform for budding footballers to showcase their skills on an international stage.
The five countries participating in the boys and girls Under-15 event includes hosts Togo, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in the round-robin format competition.
The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals before the final decides the WAFU B champions who will then represent the Zone at the Continental phase in April next year.
Beyond the competitive aspect on the field, CAF’s commitment to holistic development is evident.
Initiatives like the Young Reporters Programme, Young Referee Programme, Medical Officer Programme, Coaches Programme and the CAF Safeguarding Programme are seamlessly integrated into the championship.
These programs are designed to empower the young participants not only as athletes but also as future leaders, instilling values that extend beyond the football pitch.
The competition forms part of the CAF President’s commitment to developing Africa’s next generation of football talent and future leaders.
After Togo’s hosting this week, upcoming zonal tournaments include UNIFFAC, COSAFA, CECAFA and WAFU A ahead of the 2024 continental climax.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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