- The 2025 GCE results saw candidates from academies like Best Stars and Legend FA post strong academic performances, alongside individual successes from a national youth player and a referee
- As football careers grow more unpredictable, young players in Cameroon are taking their education seriously
- With CAF backing school-based competitions and more professionals investing in education, the push for dual careers is gaining momentum across African football
Football and schooling can play on the same team. In today’s game, where one injury can end a career or a drop in form can bench a player permanently, education is not a backup plan. It is part of the game plan.
With the GCE results released on Friday, August 1, several football academies in Cameroon posted encouraging numbers. Best Stars Academy Limbe had seven players pass the Ordinary Level and five at the Advanced Level. Legend FA Kumba also impressed, with 19 out of 20 candidates clearing the exams.
Best Stars Academy and flaunt their successful candidates
The list of successful candidates also includes U16 Indomitable Lion Oussah Mbe Tresor, who passed three subjects at the Advanced Level. Young referee Akwe Solange Anwi also made her mark by passing all seven subjects she registered for at the Ordinary Level. Johaneill Limunga, Guinness Super League referee also passed her ordinary level exams.
Lekie Filles captain Achang Cordelia also made it in flying colours this year in the GCE Advanced level. She had a tight schedule this year, battled and helped their team win the Guinness Super League as one of the most regular players in the squad.
Last year, Odette Chahkes from Authentic Ladies of Douala made it in flying colours in the GCE Advanced Level while combining studies with playing football.
Another successful Referee in end of course examinations
Across Africa, more players are preparing for the second half of life,the one after football. Former Bafana Bafana defender Siboniso “Pa” Gaxa said in a 2024 interview on Radio 2000, “I hated poverty. I saw education as one of the tools I could use to better my conditions.”
Wilfred Ndidi, while still active at Leicester City in 2019, enrolled in a business and management course. He explained, “Growing up in Nigeria, we didn’t really have the opportunity to go to school.” Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou also completed a university degree in Business Administration in 2020 while playing in France.
The warning signs are real. A study in Brazil showed that only 5.5 percent of professional footballers complete university. Most sign contracts at 17, when the classroom is often replaced by training grounds. But when football ends, many are left unprepared.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is stepping up to address this issue with a long-term strategy. Through initiatives like the CAF African Schools Football Championship, they are actively working to promote a “Kick & Learn” philosophy.
This competition, which has involved nearly 2 million boys and girls from over 82,000 schools across the continent, encourages young Africans to stay in school while playing football, offering a dual-pathway to success.
Academies in display their successful candidates
The prize money from the championship, courtesy of the Motsepe Foundation, is not just for the players. It is reinvested into schools to fund infrastructure projects and educational resources, demonstrating a commitment to holistic development.
The GCE 2025 results provide further evidence that more young players are beginning to understand the value of education in football.
Athletes that recorded success in the end of course examinations
However, more efforts are needed. Encouraging academic progress alongside athletic training will allow players to secure their futures and transition smoothly after retirement or unforeseen setbacks in their playing careers.
Studying and playing football really provides great opportunities. Former ANAFOOT and Under-17 Lionesses forward Elive Larissa moved to the USA within a month after she engaged in a scholarship program that required persons in possession of at least a GCE Advanced Level and have played for a national team in her country.
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