Lagos to host finals of Milo U-13 African Championship

The Nigerian commercial capital, Lagos, will host the 3rd Edition of the MILO® African Championships (MAC), a pan-African football competition organized every two years for school children under the age of 13 by Nestlé.

The three day tournament, which kicks off on the 29th May 2014, will see the two West African football giants, Ghana and Nigeria going head to head alongside Kenya representing Eastern Africa and South Africa defending the pride of Southern Africa.

The tournament was initially due to be hosted by Kenya, but the change in venue to Africa’s largest MILO market was very welcomed by Nestlé Nigeria.

Ghana, the defending champions of the African title, will be represented by Zorgbeli L/A Primary School, Tamale, who won an exciting national final held in Kumasi from 17th -21st March 2014. Zorgbeli held off challenges from nine other schools and is eager for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of SOS Children’s Village School, Tamale, who won the African Cup in 2012 at the El Wak Stadium.

In a statement released to the press, the Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited Mr. Moataz El-Hout stated that … ‘we expect the children from Zorgbeli L/A Primary School to represent the strong tradition that Ghana has established in this competition since its inception, finishing as runners up in the maiden edition hosted by South Africa and winning as hosts two years later’. ‘Nestlé Ghana wishes them luck and no matter the outcome we know they are champions’. The statement concluded.

Hosts Nigeria are keen to put on a spectacular tournament as they roll out the red carpet for the participating teams with a formal dinner and tournament draw ceremony on May 29th which will be attended by the Ministers and top officials of the Nigerian Federal Sports and Education Ministries. The children will experience a tour of the Nigerian city the next day before the games kick off. A giant trophy and medals will be at stake for the eventual winners of the Championship.

Before departing for Lagos, Zorgbeli L/A Primary School will spend a week in Accra where they will attend a coaching clinic with tournament icon and former Black Stars Skipper, Stephen Appiah, and participate in a series of friendly matches against selected Accra schools.