Nigerian Football
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.
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The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, on Wednesday hosted students and teachers of Tulip International School, Abuja, for an interactive and educational session at the NFF Headquarters.
The engagement focused on football development in Nigeria and the federation’s strategic role in using the sport to foster national unity, strengthen political and regional relationships, and build bridges with other countries through football diplomacy. Discussions also highlighted the growing importance of women’s football and the NFF’s ongoing efforts in early talent identification and structured development in that sector.
Speaking after the session, Sanusi said the visit was aimed at reinforcing the broader societal value of sport, particularly football, beyond competition.
“The purpose is to emphasise the role of sports in promoting national unity, cohesion and development,” Sanusi said. “It is also important to examine what the Nigeria Football Federation is doing to establish a global presence, especially in competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations. We discussed the last AFCON finals in Morocco and shared our perspectives, as well as the steps required to advance women’s football, including early talent identification from schools and communities.”
The Public Relations Officer of Tulip International School, Mubashir Shahzad, commended the NFF for its youth-focused initiatives and commitment to transparency in football administration.
“I have observed that the NFF is making significant efforts to positively impact the youth by developing and engaging them in football, while also ensuring transparency and improving standards,” Shahzad said. “Their commitment is clear, and we believe these efforts will positively influence regional sports leadership. We wish them continued success.”
Also present at the session were the NFF Director of Competitions, Ms Ruth David, the Director of Finance and Administration, Rajan Zaka, alongside other NFF staff members and students of Tulip International School.
The visit formed part of the federation’s broader outreach efforts to engage young people and educational institutions in conversations around football development, leadership and nation-building.
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Nigerian Football
CAF Officials Arrive Nigeria to Inspect Ikenne and Sagamu Facilities for African Schools Football Championship Finals
Officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will arrive in Nigeria on Monday to inspect facilities proposed to host the Final Phase of this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship.
The inspection team will assess competition and ancillary venues in Ikenne-Remo and Sagamu, Ogun State, as Nigeria bids to stage the continental youth tournament, which is designed to promote grassroots football development and education across Africa.
Launched four years ago, the CAF African Schools Football Championship is an annual Under-15 competition for both boys and girls. The tournament is backed by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers culminating in a continental finals event.
The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania won the boys’ category and hosts Ghana claimed the girls’ title. Winning schools receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development support. The championship is also run in partnership with global bodies including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with a strong focus on health and education awareness.
CAF officials scheduled for the inspection include Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC Officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing and Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel and Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety and Security), Hend Thabet (Travel and Accommodation), Joshua Knipp (ASFC Competition), as well as Philippe Tchere, Executive Director of WAFU B.
The inspection will take place on Tuesday, February 3, and Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Key facilities to be evaluated include the Remo Stars Stadium and training pitches in Ikenne-Remo, the FC Ebedei Stadium and training pitches in Sagamu, alongside hospitals and hotel accommodation within the two host towns.
Nigeria’s readiness to meet CAF’s technical, logistical, safety, and welfare requirements will determine its chances of hosting the prestigious youth championship finals later this year.
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Shooting Stars Sports Club have acknowledged the directive by the Nigeria Premier Football League to relocate matches from the Lekan Salami Stadium, insisting that concrete steps are already underway to restore the playing surface to acceptable standards.
The NPFL had earlier ordered that, with effect from the next matchday, no league fixtures should be staged at the Ibadan venue following growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of the pitch. Consequently, Shooting Stars Sports Club will now play their home matches at the MKO Abiola Arena until urgent remedial works are completed.
NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, who also serves as a Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, confirmed the decision, stressing that player safety, match quality, and the integrity of the league could not be compromised.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Shooting Stars said they had received official communication from the league regarding the suitability of the Lekan Salami Stadium to host NPFL fixtures, particularly in the context of broadcast and television requirements.
The club assured supporters and stakeholders that the issue was being treated with “utmost seriousness,” revealing that deliberate measures had already been implemented to improve the turf. According to the statement, intensified pitch maintenance, grass treatment, levelling, and regular watering have been ongoing in recent weeks.
Shooting Stars further explained that the current dry season and harsh weather conditions had significantly affected the playing surface, describing it as a broader environmental challenge that the club has been actively managing.
“Despite these conditions, work on the pitch has been ongoing to ensure steady improvement and long-term sustainability,” the club said, reaffirming its commitment to providing a safe, professional, and broadcast-friendly playing environment befitting its status and history in Nigerian football.
The venue reshuffle has also affected other NPFL clubs. Remo Stars, who were earlier sanctioned to play away from their Ikenne base and temporarily relocated to Ibadan, will now host their home matches in Akure. Ironically, Remo Stars had earlier hosted Sunshine Stars in Ikenne, before the latest reversal forced them to seek refuge in the Ondo State capital.
Shooting Stars stated that they would continue to engage constructively with the NPFL while prioritising lasting solutions that would allow supporters to return to the Lekan Salami Stadium under acceptable conditions.
The club also appealed for patience and understanding from the Oluyole faithful, assuring them of its determination to resolve the matter and restore Ibadan as a credible and safe home venue for NPFL football.
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