The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is intensifying efforts to eliminate age cheating in youth competitions, with new measures aimed at ensuring fairness and protecting the integrity of the game across the continent.
A member of the CAF Medical Committee and Black Stars team doctor, Dr. Prince Pambo, revealed that crucial measures were agreed upon during the recent CAF Medical Committee meeting held in Lomé, Togo, as part of broader reforms within African football’s medical framework.
Dr. Pambo highlighted the committee’s firm stance on restoring credibility in youth tournaments on the continent.
“We agreed on a few things to see how we can sanitise age group competitions so that the appropriate people with the right ages will be given the opportunity to compete.”
Dr. Prince Pambo, Black Stars team doctor
The meeting brought together medical experts from across the continent to deliberate on key health and regulatory issues affecting the sport, following the appointment of a new director responsible for football development within CAF.
MRI Testing to Strengthen Eligibility Checks
Central to the committee’s plan is the continued use and expansion of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a tool for age verification.
The technology is expected to play a critical role, particularly in junior competitions where concerns about age manipulation have been widespread.
According to Dr. Pambo, MRI screening will remain a key requirement for participation. “People will still have to go through the MRIs just to ensure that passing the MRI is one of the added eligibility criteria,” he explained.
CAF’s renewed focus is particularly directed at U-15 tournaments, where early intervention is seen as essential in tackling the issue at its foundation. By enforcing stricter checks at lower age levels, the governing body aims to create a more transparent and merit-based development pathway for young players.
Holistic Approach to Player Welfare and Integrity
The CAF Medical Committee also addressed broader health and integrity concerns, including pre-competition medical assessments (PCMA), anti-doping measures, and injury prevention.
The Black Stars team doctor noted that comprehensive medical screenings will be mandatory at the start of each season to ensure players meet required health standards. “At the beginning of every season, players will have to do this pre-competition medical assessment comprehensively,” Dr. Pambo said.
He added that education remains a key pillar in maintaining a drug-free sport, urging member associations to intensify awareness campaigns among players.
The committee also discussed plans to establish Medical Centres of Excellence across CAF zones such as WAFU A, WAFU B, COSAFA, and CECAFA. These centres are expected to serve as hubs for research, medical support, and the implementation of standardized health protocols.
Reflecting on the outcomes of the meeting, Dr. Pambo emphasized the link between proper medical structures and on-field success. “The summary of the meeting was that player health is equated to team success, and this is what we preached,” he stated.
CAF’s latest measures signal a determined push to clean up youth football by combining technology, education, and stricter medical oversight, as the organization seeks to build a more credible and competitive future for the game in Africa.
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