The inaugural African Schools Champions Cup tournament concluded in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the weekend with the host winning the boys’ competition and Morocco taking the girls’ crown.
The African Schools Championship, a competition organised by FIFA to support grassroots football development on the African continent, kicked off on the 19th of February 2022 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The two-day invitational tournament of 6 teams, included host DRC, South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia, Senegal and the Benin Republic.
The final held at the Stade des Martyrs was also attended by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, member association representatives and a group of FIFA Legends.
And even they would have been surprised to see the DR. Congo players, whose physical features have led people to suggest their players were overaged.
African football journalist, Nuhu Adams, posted an image of the DR Congo team and the comments have been less than charitable.
DR Congo U16 vs. Senegal U16
U16 Africa Schools Tournament. pic.twitter.com/CVSoDHBSaq
— NUHU ®️ (@NuhuAdams_) February 21, 2022
DRC won it but my congratulations to Senegal. I know why I'm saying this and I am under no obligation to tell anyone 😄
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 21, 2022
If this guy is 15, I am 12 years old. pic.twitter.com/WcIKPhGTas
— 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙪 ²⁰²² (@alagiesellu) February 21, 2022
When it comes to age cheating and changing names DRC comes on top….Kanku Mulekelayi,Tady Eketiama,chancel Mbemba,Mishak Elia,Walter Bwala….another guy that played for Gabon whom they claim is a Congolese by a different name
— MMOKENG TLOU (@Mmokengbtlou) February 21, 2022