BETTER AFRICA FOUNDATION
WEST AFRICA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
FIRST EDITION
COTONOU – BENIN
NOVEMBER 2007

Introduction

The first much awaited four nation football championship organized by the Better Africa Foundation came to past to the Glory of God.

Amidst financial constraints the BAF once again reassured young people in West Africa of a bright future, especially those who are gifted in soccer.
In August 2004, the president of the BAF Dr. Emmanuel O. Akognon in his talk on community organizing challenged participants with the question “Are you going to work only when there is money, or when there is a need? This was in West African NGOs Network Conference on Sustainable Development in Africa organized by the BAF in Cotonou.

While some of the participant felt it is not possible to carry out humanitarian services without the minimum resources, a few could not help tears roll down their cheeks.

The statement was put to test when the Danjan Sports Consultants appointed as the Fifa match Agent for the championship announced to the Regional Manager that all prospective sponsors to the event turned down the request for sponsorship two weeks to the event.

Background

The Better Africa Foundation scheduled to Organize a four nation Football Championship of under 18 Grassroots Clubs from Nigeria, Benin, Togo & Ghana November 23rd – 29th 2007. Two teams were invited from each of the countries. The Danjan Sports Consultants Agency was appointed as the official match agent of the championship; the match agent was also responsible to searching of prospective sponsors for the event.

Due to non availability of fund the over US$178.000 project was rescheduled to November 26th – 1st December 2007.

All invited teams to the championship agreed to participate in the championship without cash prizes, subsidy to accommodation, feeding, Bonuses, and other incentives. A total of 7 teams actually showed up. The HQ of BAF in America provided trophy, medals and financial support for the event.

Objective

The main objective of the championship is to promote grassroots sports in West Africa, Creating a platform for young people to showcase their talent in football.

Work Plan/ Activities

NOVEMBER 26TH – DECEMBER 1ST

PRELIM

NIGERIA

1. Ovation FC Lagos
2. Rising Stars FC Abuja

BENIN

1. BAF Football Academy
2. Littoral FC

TOGO

1. Delta FC

GHANA

1. Great Corinthians FC
2. Liberty Giants FC

GROUP A

1. NIGERIA 1 VS GHANA 0
2. TOGO 0 VS BENIN 3
3. BENIN 1 VS GHANA 0
4. NIGERIA 3 VS BENIN 0
5. TOGO 1 VS NIGERIA 1
6. GHANA 2 VS TOGO 1

GROUP B

1. BENIN 3 VS GHANA 0
2. NIGERIA 0 VS BENIN 1
3. GHANA 1 VS NIGERIA 1

TABLE A

P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
3	2	1	-	4	1	6	Nigeria
3	1	1	2	2	3	3	Ghana
3	1	-	-	4	3	1	Togo

TABLE B

P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
2	2	-	-	4	-	6	Benin
2	-	1	1	1	-	3	Nigeria

SEMI FINALS

1. NIGERIA 2 VS GHANA 1
2. GHANA 0 VS BENIN 3

THIRD PLACE

1. BENIN 3 VS GHANA 1

FINALS

1. BENIN 0 VS NIGERIA 2

CHAMPIONS:         Nigeria
RUNNERS UP:         Benin
THIRD PLACE:         Benin

Indicator Of Success

1. Over 100 young people from different culture and background lived and worked together for eight days without any problems;
2. The event created an opportunity for a productive network of young people in the sub region establishing cross boarder relationship;
3. Seven of the participants from Nigeria were invited for trials by Division 1 clubs in Benin;
4. 3 of the participants from Nigeria were also invited to trials in Togo.

With these achievement, the BAF promises to make much more impact on participants in the next edition of the championship, we are looking at holding the next edition in Nigeria; The states in mind to host the event are Rivers State and Ogun State.

PHOTOS OF THE EVENT