CAF’s Busy Year Ahead: Highlights of African Football in 2025

Esther E. Otto

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) is gearing up for a thrilling year in 2025, set to be one of the busiest ever for the governing body with a packed calendar of continental finals across club and national team football. This year, CAF’s focus on youth and women’s football has significantly enriched the schedule, promising fans a plethora of exciting events.

Key Events in 2025:

1. TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship 2024:

• Duration: 1-28 February 2025
• Co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the event features 19 teams including defending champions Senegal.

1. 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly:

• Date: 12 March 2025
• Member Associations will convene in Egypt to elect the CAF President, Executive Committee members, and FIFA Council representatives.

1. TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025:

• Dates: 30 March – 19 April 2025
• 10 African nations will qualify for the expanded 48-team 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

1. TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2025:

• Dates: 26 April – 18 May 2025
• The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

1. TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024-2025:

• Culminates with the two-legged final on 17 and 25 May 2025.

1. TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024-2025:

• Concludes with the two-legged final on 24 May and 1 June 2025.

1. CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals 2025:

• Date: To be confirmed
• The best Boys and Girls players from national and zonal qualifiers will compete for the African title.

1. TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024:

• Dates: 5 – 26 July 2025
• Defending champions South Africa lead a star-studded lineup in the finals.

1. CAF Women’s Champions League 2025:

• Dates: 8 – 23 November 2025
• TP Mazembe aims to defend their title in a tournament with increased prize money.

1. TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025:

• Dates: 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026
• 24 teams will compete to be crowned African champions in a highly anticipated event.

With a jam-packed schedule that includes interclub competitions, junior tournaments, and schools football, CAF is dedicated to enhancing the growth of the game on the continent. The year 2025 promises to be a spectacular showcase of African talent and a celebration of football at all levels. Stay tuned for an unforgettable year of African football!