By: Belinda Nketia
Budding sports journalists have been given a masterclass in match reporting and post-game interviews as part of the Young Reporters Workshop under CAF’s African Schools Programme.
The session on Wednesday, on April 23 2025, was led by seasoned Canal+ journalist Romain Hussonnois and focused on equipping participants with essential skills for covering live football.
The training offered a practical guide to creating concise, energetic match recaps for television, with an emphasis on structure, storytelling, and confident on-camera delivery.
Hussonnois encouraged the young reporters to focus on clarity and impact, advising them to keep sentences punchy and highlight only the most important moments of a game. He shared a clear formula: introduce the match, spotlight turning points or standout players, and wrap up with the final result and its implications.
“You’re not telling the whole story—just the best bits, in the best way,” he said.
The workshop also covered how to navigate the hectic environment of the mixed zone after matches, where players are emotional and time is tight.
Reporters were guided to ask three smart, open-ended questions: on the match, the player’s performance, and what lies ahead—while remaining calm, respectful, and alert to any unscripted moments.
Participants had the chance to put their training into action through mock recaps and interview simulations, gaining feedback and real-time coaching.
At the end of the week-long programme, all 30 participants will graduate with a newly found skill set that can be applied beyond the field of play.
The Young Reporters Workshop is part of the Confederation of African Football’s African Schools Programme, which combines sport and education to develop the next generation of African leaders—on and off the field. Alongside the ongoing African Schools Football Championship, the programme includes media training, leadership workshops, and opportunities for students across the continent to gain exposure and experience in the world of sport.
