By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced far-reaching reforms to its medical protocols and anti-doping framework following a high-level meeting of its Medical Committee in Lomé, Togo, marking a significant step toward modernizing healthcare standards in African football.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Soueilim Mohamed Bouya and attended by Vice Chairman Dr Thulani Ngwenya alongside medical experts from member associations, focused on strengthening medical governance, enhancing player welfare, and aligning practices with global benchmarks.
A key outcome was the approval of revised MRI testing protocols for youth competitions. Beginning in 2026, players will undergo a single MRI scan, with those cleared during zonal qualifiers exempt from further testing ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 where only newly registered players will be required to complete left wrist MRI examinations.
The committee also initiated plans to introduce dedicated medical protocols for players under 15 within the CAF African Schools Football Championship, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to safeguarding young athletes at the grassroots level.
In a move to deepen collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the committee proposed a CAF Medical Congress in 2027, designed to serve as a continental platform for capacity building, scientific exchange, and the harmonisation of medical practices.
Discussions further covered the training and appointment of medical officers, pandemic preparedness, scientific research, and the establishment of centres of excellence across CAF’s six zonal unions.
Additional, a medical seminar is also planned on the sidelines of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
On anti-doping, the committee reviewed the progress of the CAF Anti-Doping Unit since its inception in 2020 and approved an ambitious strategy for 2026–2030.
The roadmap targets the expansion of the Doping Control Officers network to 108 across all 54 African countries by the end of 2026, with a long-term goal of 216 officers by 2030. Testing capacity is set to rise to between 2,500 and 3,000 annually, supported by advanced methods including blood testing and dry blood spot analysis.
Education remains central to the strategy, with anti-doping awareness to be integrated into all CAF competitions, supported by tailored materials for players, coaches, and medical staff. Football legends are also expected to serve as ambassadors promoting clean sport, while member associations will receive support to roll out localized awareness initiatives.
CAF said the reforms represent a decisive push to strengthen integrity, protect player health, and ensure African football keeps pace with evolving global medical and scientific standards.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced far-reaching reforms to its medical protocols and anti-doping framework following a high-level meeting of its Medical Committee in Lomé, Togo, marking a significant step toward modernizing healthcare standards in African football.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Soueilim Mohamed Bouya and attended by Vice Chairman Dr Thulani Ngwenya alongside medical experts from member associations, focused on strengthening medical governance, enhancing player welfare, and aligning practices with global benchmarks.
A key outcome was the approval of revised MRI testing protocols for youth competitions. Beginning in 2026, players will undergo a single MRI scan, with those cleared during zonal qualifiers exempt from further testing ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 where only newly registered players will be required to complete left wrist MRI examinations.
The committee also initiated plans to introduce dedicated medical protocols for players under 15 within the CAF African Schools Football Championship, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to safeguarding young athletes at the grassroots level.
In a move to deepen collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the committee proposed a CAF Medical Congress in 2027, designed to serve as a continental platform for capacity building, scientific exchange, and the harmonisation of medical practices.
Discussions further covered the training and appointment of medical officers, pandemic preparedness, scientific research, and the establishment of centres of excellence across CAF’s six zonal unions.
Additional, a medical seminar is also planned on the sidelines of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
On anti-doping, the committee reviewed the progress of the CAF Anti-Doping Unit since its inception in 2020 and approved an ambitious strategy for 2026–2030.
The roadmap targets the expansion of the Doping Control Officers network to 108 across all 54 African countries by the end of 2026, with a long-term goal of 216 officers by 2030. Testing capacity is set to rise to between 2,500 and 3,000 annually, supported by advanced methods including blood testing and dry blood spot analysis.
Education remains central to the strategy, with anti-doping awareness to be integrated into all CAF competitions, supported by tailored materials for players, coaches, and medical staff. Football legends are also expected to serve as ambassadors promoting clean sport, while member associations will receive support to roll out localized awareness initiatives.
CAF said the reforms represent a decisive push to strengthen integrity, protect player health, and ensure African football keeps pace with evolving global medical and scientific standards.
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