Caf African Schools Football Championship |26 October 2022

The girls’ team at the SFF headquarters

Seychelles school teams at Cosafa qualifier

Two Under-15-year-old school teams from Seychelles, one for boys and the other girls, will compete in the Cosafa qualifier in Malawi this week as they attempt to win places in the finals of the first ever Confederation of African Football (Caf) Pan-African Schools Football Championship.

The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) qualifier, taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi brings together the best young talent from the region who will attempt to earn a place alongside the winners of other Caf zones in the 2022/2023 continental finals.

Africa is divided into in six Caf zones and Seychelles falls in the southern zone, known as Cosafa, together with 13 other Southern African and Indian Ocean island nations.

The Cosafa qualifier will take place from October 27-31 and the competing teams have already been through a qualifying process in their own countries and now meet in the hope of being crowned regional winners in the boys’ and girls’ competitions.

The final continental tournament of the 2022/23 season will be held in March 2023 and will showcase the best of football participation and management across the qualified African schools from each of the Caf zones. The winning boys’ team and girls’ team will be crowned as the champions of African Schools Football.

The Pan-African Schools Football Championship has been introduced by Caf as continental school tournament for both boys and girls as part of its grassroots effort to use the lessons of football to guide growth and development and shape future leaders.

Caf believes football is an incredible catalyst for change as it not only unites the world, but also educates, inspires, and mobilises youth to overcome their greatest challenges and become agents of change in their communities.

Several workshops will also take place along the corridors of the competition in Malawi.

Young referees, among them two young Seychellois ‒Rio Dubignon and Deidrey Roucou ‒ will be given a life-changing opportunity to be schooled by some of the best on the continent and hopefully set them on a path to a long career as an official. The workshop will include both a practical and theory elements and will take place over four days.  

A workshop for young journalists will give them an insight into every aspect of running a media campaign at a major competition. Brandon Bastienne will be Seychelles’ young journalist at the workshop. According to the organisers, some excellent speakers have been lined up to teach the youngsters a thing or two about being in the business.

A workshop for young coaches, now a regular feature at Cosafa events, will also take place, giving participants an excellent chance to improve their skills. The sessions will be conducted by some of the best coaches on the continent.

All the boys and girls at the event will also be taken through safeguarding activities to not only provide them with information on the social impact of football, but also explain the measures that Caf has put in place to create a safe environment for them.

The boys’ team left for Malawi on Monday evening and the girls left yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

The Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) has thanked all parents, the Ministry of Education, the department of Immigration as well as all entities and individuals who have helped to make the trip of the two teams possible.

The teams:

Boys: Jean Yves Mousbe, Darrel Nolin, Shawn Adrienne, Stan Adrienne, Ravin Cadence, Shaled Nicette, Nathan Victor, Rahim Henry, Pedro Sophola, Jarino Renaud, Rohan Esparon, Usain Pillay, Anelka Adela, Ron Barbe, Shamal Bonnelame.

Boys’ coach: Mervin Bonnelame.

Girls: Azarelle Rose, Clara Libanotis, Eira Pierre, Elvina Hoareau, Emmy Volcere, Etana Pointe, Eva Jeremie, Farisha Hertel, Keisha Moustache, Kim Marie, Maria Tambara, Rahima Moumou, Rhea Rose, Shanon Malvina, Sherine Radegonde.

Girls’ coach: Angeline Chua Ki Yi.   

Safeguarding officer: Jim Louis.

Technical director: Osama Haroun.

Referees: Rio Dubignon and Deidrey Roucou.

Student journalist: Brandon Bastienne.

Head of delegation: Dolor Ernesta.

Contributed