Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu has said the birth of the CAF African Schools Championship would help revive schools football in Malawi.

Nyamilandu, a product of schools football before he got to the professional ranks in Malawi, hailed the programme after witnessing its launching ceremony held in Mozambique on Tuesday evening.

 “Schools football is back,” the former Malawi University FC and Telecom Wanderers defender told FAM website.

“The CAF African Schools Championship heralds a new dawn for African football as it will bridge the gap of schools football. We are delighted to go back to our roots where there is hidden talent.”

He said the continental showpiece would fill the gap created at the end of Southern Africa Coca-Cola Schools Tournament, which involved schools in the region.

“This project, which is based on the organization of football tournaments in schools, will accelerate growth and put in place structures at the youth level, with a particular focus on schools,” he said.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe is funding the youth competition to the tune of $10 million through his Motsepe Foundation.

The championship will start from the national level with the winners of the girls and boys sections making it to the zonal phase scheduled between September and December 2022.

Zonal champions in both categories will compete on the continental stage in March 2023.

However, some observers say the success of the schools championship might also lie in curbing age-cheating.