By Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Cameroon is set to make sporting history with the official launch of seven-a-side football (Football à 7) from December 10 to 17, 2025, in a week-long national rollout spanning six major cities — Buea, Limbe, Bamenda, Ngaoundéré, Douala, and Yaoundé.
The newly constructed Bamenda Proximity Stadium will host the historic first-ever seven-a-side football match on December 10, 2025, marking the official kick-off of the national introduction program. The event will feature exhibition games, referee and coaching workshops, and technical training sessions organized under the banner of the Association Camerounaise de Football à 7 (ACF7) in partnership with the International Football Association 7 (IFA7).
The ACF7’s mission emphasizes fair play, discipline, and youth development, with training programs tailored for referees, coaches, and young players. The launch is supported by the Confédération Africaine de Football à 7 (CAF7), the continental body affiliated with IFA7, whose African operations are provisionally headquartered in Cameroon.
Under the IFA7 Laws of the Game 2025, seven-a-side matches feature teams of seven players, including one goalkeeper, played on synthetic or natural turf fields between 45 and 55 metres long and 25 to 35 metres wide. Matches are divided into two halves, emphasizing speed, technique, and tactical flexibility.
By joining the international IFA7 framework, Cameroon positions itself as a regional leader in small-sided football development, providing a new platform for emerging players and community clubs. The six-city launch will see Buea, Limbe, Bamenda, Ngaoundéré, Douala, and Yaoundé host exhibition matches, workshops, and talent discovery programs throughout the week.
Officials say the initiative could open new pathways for youth football development, complementing Cameroon’s rich legacy in eleven-a-side football and strengthening its reputation as one of Africa’s most dynamic footballing nations.
Background: About IFA7 and CAF7
The International Football Association 7 (IFA7) is the global governing body for seven-a-side football, regulating the sport’s laws, competitions, and equipment standards worldwide. It promotes an inclusive and dynamic style of football played by seven players per team on reduced-size fields.
The Confédération Africaine de Football à 7 (CAF7) oversees the sport’s development across the African continent, coordinating national associations and fostering grassroots growth. CAF7’s continental operations are currently based in Cameroon — making the country a central hub for the sport’s expansion in Africa.
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