Tanzanian youngsters triumph over Senegal
GHANA: TANZANIA’S U-15 boys team roared to continental glory after edging out Senegal 3-2 in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to clinch the African Schools Football Championship (ASFC) – Boys crown.
The tightly contested final, played at the University of Ghana ground, was a true battle of grit and determination, with neither side able to find the net over 90 minutes of pulsating action.
Despite their best efforts, both Tanzania and Senegal were left clutching at straws in front of goal, forcing the encounter into the dreaded lottery of penalties.
In the end, it was Tanzania who kept their nerve when it mattered most, slotting home three crucial spot-kicks to Senegal’s two, sending their camp into raptures and leaving the West Africans to settle for the runner-up spot.
This latest triumph cements Tanzania’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in youth football. The boys from East Africa successfully defended their title, having previously emerged victorious in the last edition of the championship, where they dazzled fans and opponents alike with their flair and resilience.
Placed in Group B, Tanzania had to navigate a challenging path to the final, facing stern tests against Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo.
Meanwhile, Group A featured the heavyweights Uganda, South Africa, Algeria and Ghana, ensuring that the tournament was a true showcase of Africa’s rising stars.
In the third-place playoff, Ghana’s young guns put on a clinical display, silencing Uganda with a commanding 2-0 victory to secure the bronze medal. The Black Starlets showed a ruthless edge, ensuring they would not leave their home turf empty-handed.
The four-day festival of football, held from 23 to 26 April 2025, brought together the crème de la crème of African schoolboy talent.
More than just a contest, the tournament celebrated excellence, unity and the magical, transformative power of the beautiful game. It was a carnival of dreams, where skill, passion and sportsmanship lit up the Ghanaian skies.
Tanzania’s achievements did not end with the trophy. In a testament to their exemplary conduct on and off the pitch, they were also awarded the prestigious Fair Play Award, proving they are champions not just in ability, but also in spirit.
Between the sticks, Tanzania’s Rajabu Mayelezi was an immovable wall, earning him the accolade of the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper. His heroics between the posts were pivotal in guiding his nation to the summit of African school football.
The tournament’s top individual honours saw Souleymane Commissaire Faye crowned Player of the Tournament, his dazzling performances leaving defences in a spin.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s John Andor emerged as the Golden Boot winner, his goals firing his team to a well-deserved third place.
As the curtain falls on another enthralling chapter of African youth football, Tanzania’s boys can hold their heads high. They have not only defended their crown but have also captured the hearts of a continent, proving once again that in the language of football, the spirit of Tanzania speaks volumes
