The sun-drenched University of Ghana campus in Accra was buzzing with anticipation on Monday, April 21, 2025 as football legends Asamoah Gyan of Ghana and Clementine Toure of Cote d’Ivoire stepped up to conduct the official draws for the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship.
As names were pulled from bowls and groups began to take shape, one name stood out in a particularly daunting pairing: Uganda’s St Noa.
The Ugandan representatives in the girls’ category found themselves placed in Group B, a veritable group of fire alongside defending champions South Africa, DR Congo, and The Gambia.
For St Noa, the draw is both a formidable challenge and a golden opportunity to prove themselves on the continental stage.
St Noa, well-known for their spirited style of play and tactical discipline with a recent glory in the ISF games held in Morocco 2023, now faces one of the most testing group stages in the tournament.
South Africa’s girls’ team, the reigning champions, carry the pressure of maintaining their title and reputation. DR Congo brings raw athleticism and unpredictable flair while The Gambia’s recent rise in youth football makes them anything but an easy opponent.
For the Ugandan side, this draw is more than just a fixture list, it’s a test of character, endurance, and belief.
“We came to Ghana with one thing in mind – glory,” a member of St Noa’s delegation said shortly after the draw. “And glory doesn’t come easy. It must be earned, especially against the best.”
Set to kick off on Wednesday, April 23, the four-day tournament promises thrilling action in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. With only the top two teams from each group progressing to the semifinals, every match in Group B will be a battle of consequence.
Elsewhere in the girls’ competition, Group A features hosts Ghana, Morocco, Benin and Malawi, an equally competitive pool that sets the stage for some memorable fixtures on home soil.
In the boys’ category, Uganda is represented by St Mary’s Kitende who were drawn into Group A with hosts Ghana, powerhouses South Africa and Algeria.
Defending champions Tanzania will battle it out in Group B with Senegal, DR Congo, and debutants Côte d’Ivoire.
Girls
GROUP A:
- Ghana (Hosts)
- Morocco
- Benin
- Malawi
GROUP B
- South Africa (Defending Champions)
- Uganda
- DR Congo
- The Gambia
Boys
GROUP A
- Ghana
- Uganda
- South Africa
- Algeria
GROUP B
- Tanzania
- Senegal
- Cote d’Ivoire
- DR Congo
