Fredrick Musisi Kiyingi
13 July 2009
Johannesburg — Uganda edged South Africa 1-0 to win the first edition of the Xenophobia Africa Nations tournament at Jeppe Preparatory School in Johannesburg.
The tournament, whose aim is to fight xenophobia, is an initiative of African Diaspora Forum (ADF) a none-for-profit organisation representing African migrants living in South Africa. Held during the Confederations Cup period, the event involved primary and high schools teams representing various African countries.
Uganda (Malvern Primary school) and South Africa (Sheik Anta Diop Primary School) contested the girl's final. In the boys' final, Tanzania (Troyville Primary School) beat Nigeria (John Mitchell Primary School) 2-1 on penalties after a goalless draw.
Cameroon (Jeppe Girls High) beat Somalia 3-0. Zambia (Jules Boys High School) triumphed 3-1 over Somalia.
Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who was the main speaker at the closing ceremony, implored participants to fight racism. "We are all Africans and should be proud of being anywhere, anytime on our continent," he said. Hon Ambassador of Zambia, His Excellency Lesley Mbula handed over the trophies to the winners. Earlier, tournament organizing secretary Fred Kasango, a Ugandan, explained that the event lasted a month with matches played Saturdays on a knock out basis. The Star newspaper is the main sponsor of the tournament.
22 African countries are represented on the ADF: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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