CAF grassroots drive brings football to Ngaliema schools

Ngaliema, in western Kinshasa, hosted a three-day CAF grassroots festival that put football back in the hands of schoolchildren.

From a site near the National Pedagogical University (UPN), pupils received brand-new kits and balls as part of a programme designed to reconnect the game with its community roots.

Boxes were opened, jerseys handed out and balls held aloft as trophies – a simple act with a clear purpose: make access to football equipment part of everyday school life. “A ball is more than a game. For us, it was life,” said former DR Congo international Roger Hitoto.

Legends backing the next generation: The distribution was supported by former Congolese stars, including Trésor Lualua, who lent profile and encouragement.

Hitoto said his presence was personal: “When I was a kid in Kinshasa we played barefoot, sometimes with balls made from rags. Seeing children receive a real ball, a bag and a school kit is an emotion I can’t hide.”

CAF officials stressed the initiative is about more than elite tournaments. It positions football as a tool for inclusion, keeping young people engaged in school and in sport.