Global Youth Talent Shines as Kafue Celtic and Corinthians Dominate MENA Football Cup 2025
Dubai tournament draws 800 players from five continents, with teams from Brazil, Zambia, Jordan, and UAE leading the podium.
The 2025 MENA Football Cup concluded in spectacular fashion over the weekend, with Zambia’s Kafue Celtic clinching two age-group titles and Brazil’s Corinthians, Jordan’s Englizia, and Dubai’s Barcelona Academy also securing top honours. The tournament, hosted at the Jebel Ali Golf and Shooting Club, brought together 800 budding footballers from 44 teams across five continents, showcasing a rising generation of global talent.
Organised by CBF Performance Co. with support from the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the annual event featured U-12 to U-16 categories from international youth sports clubs in Dubai.
Winners Across Age Groups
- U-16: Kafue Celtic (Zambia)
- U-15: Corinthians (Brazil)
- U-14: Kafue Celtic (Zambia)
- U-13: Barcelona Academy (Dubai)
- U-12: Englizia (Jordan)
Football legend Teddy Sheringham, who served as tournament ambassador, joined Adel Al Bannai, Head of Football Companies Secretary at DSC, and Lucas Pimenta Peres Lopes of Al Wahda, in presenting the awards.
Zambian Dominance and Brazilian Flair
Kafue Celtic asserted their presence in the U-16 and U-14 categories, becoming the only team to win two divisions. In the U-16 final, they topped the UAE’s Al Jazira and Al Nasr, powered by standout players Emerson Mulenga and Caleb Musonda—both scoring four goals to share the top scorer award. Shibu Siwiwi was named best goalkeeper.
In the U-14 group, Kafue outplayed Crusaders of Northern Ireland and Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadisiyah. Crusaders’ Michael Mulholland earned best player and top scorer accolades with nine goals, while Mbalo Samba of Kafue Celtic secured best goalkeeper honors.
Meanwhile, Corinthians of Brazil lifted the U-15 trophy, edging past Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadisiyah (1) and Columbus Crew FC from the United States. Miguel Silva Moscardo de Sales took home the best player award, with Al Qadisiyah’s Ibrahim Mohammed the top scorer. Cedomir Stefanovich of Columbus Crew was named best goalkeeper.
Local Academies Make Their Mark
Dubai’s own Barcelona Academy thrilled home fans by winning the U-13 title, backed by a phenomenal 13-goal run from Eden Celestin, who claimed both the best player and top scorer awards. His teammate, Adam Al Khatib Al Khaldi, was named best goalkeeper. Runners-up included Al Jazira and Australia’s Melbourne City FC.
Jordan’s Englizia captured the U-12 crown after edging past England’s Norwich City and Dubai’s Fursan Hispania FC. Norwich’s Morgan Tavares was awarded best player, while Abdouli Drammeh of Englizia led scoring with nine goals. Thomas Chestnut from Rangers Football Academy took the best goalkeeper prize.
A Platform for Tomorrow’s Stars
The tournament continues to serve as a proving ground for youth talent from across the globe. With participation evenly split between international clubs and local UAE football academies, the MENA Football Cup is looking for development and growth.
The Dubai Sports Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting such initiatives, aligning with its long-term strategy to promote physical activity and build partnerships with the private sector to develop sports across the emirate.
