Road to Football Cup 2026: The Sainte-Croix Football School champion

The Sainte-Croix Football School (EDF), which wore the colors of Ecuador, won the first edition of the “Road to Football Cup” this Saturday July 18 at the Côte dâOr Sports Complex. In the final, against EDF Casernes, representing Japan, the two teams were unable to decide between themselves at the end of normal time, and it was on penalties that the title was decided. Third place went to RTC (Regional Training Centre) Rivière Noire/Cape Vert, which won with a score of 2-0 against EDF Henrietta/Uzbekistan.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with Club Maurice, and with the support of the official sponsor, Vivo Energy Mauritius, the company which markets and distributes Shell brand fuels and lubricants in Mauritius, the tournament brought together 48 football schools and 720 players in the U-13 category, from several regions of Mauritius. Played in 8-a-side format, the final offered diligent and generous football. In front of families, educators, officials and fans who came to encourage them, the young players showed commitment, discipline and a real sense of teamwork.

“Seeing these young people take a liking to football and invest themselves to this extent on the pitch is encouraging for Mauritian sport. We must now further decentralize this type of initiative, go to remote regions and give more children the opportunity to participate and reveal themselves. We believe in these young people, in their talent and in what they represent for the future of sport in Mauritius,” declared Deven Nagalingum, Minister of Youth and Sports. The coach of the victorious team, Jean-Marie Camal Boudou, paid tribute to the progress of his players: “What these young people have accomplished is remarkable, especially with the means at our disposal. This victory is their desire, their discipline, but also the daily work of the coaches who supervise them. It's up to us to keep this energy to continue moving forward. Thank you to Vivo Energy Mauritius for making this tournament possible. »

Through this competition, the organizers wanted to offer the U-13s a structured framework, inspired by major competitions, to express their talent, gain confidence and live a high-level experience on their scale. “It is a great source of pride to see these young people play with such determination and respect for the game. By supporting the Road to Football Cup, we wanted to contribute to a framework where Mauritian youth can learn and grow through sport. Football teaches cohesion, effort and self-confidence. This is exactly what the competition highlighted,” declared Fouad Khfifi, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Mauritius.

For Giandev Mooteea, Chairman of Club Maurice, the tournament revealed the potential