The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is to organise the inaugural U17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT), a pioneering pilot initiative it says will promote the development of women’s football across Africa.
The event will take place at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and will involve eight teams from CECAFA from 7-18 January 2025.
The tournament provides a platform to showcase young female footballers, build player capacity and promote women’s football at regional and continental levels.
CAF says the strategy is to promote gender equality and empower the next generation of female footballers.
The governing body has set out to increase participation of girls in football across the continent, encourage FAs and clubs to invest in girls’ football clubs, leagues and Under-17 women’s national teams, and provide a pathway for girls to transition from schools football to competitive football structures.
