For years, football lovers across Africa have criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its inability to manage the game at a world-class level. Despite African football being a cornerstone of the global sport, it suffered from mismanagement and lacked the necessary infrastructure to elevate its competitions.
Many pointed fingers at the longest-serving CAF president, the late Issa Hayatou, blaming him for the stagnation. However, in later years, he was somewhat vindicated when the raw and blatant interference of external forces in African football became more apparent. After Hayatou’s departure, CAF experienced a series of low points, adding to its growing pains. This led to the direct intervention of FIFA under its president, Gianni Infantino, raising suspicions that it was yet another example of European influence over African football.
Regardless of those concerns, decisive action was necessary. FIFA deployed its then-Secretary General, Fatma Samoura—the first female Secretary General in the history of the male-dominated game—to oversee and stabilize CAF while a long-term solution was sought. Fast forward a few years, and South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, a businessman and passionate football supporter, ascended to the presidency of CAF.
His candidacy was met with skepticism, especially by those who had long advocated for African football to take its rightful place among the best in the world. After all, African players had consistently excelled in elite European leagues, making it paradoxical that the continent’s domestic leagues and continental competitions lagged behind.
However, since Motsepe took charge, CAF competitions have improved significantly in quality and global viewership. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), CAF's flagship tournament, shone brilliantly in its last edition in Ivory Coast and is poised to dazzle even more in its upcoming tournament in Morocco—a country perfectly positioned to attract European and American fans due to its geographical proximity and world-class facilities.
CAF's resurgence has coincided with historic milestones for African football on the global stage. For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, an African nation—Morocco—reached the semifinals in the 2022 tournament in Qatar. With FIFA's expansion to a 48-team format, Africa's representation will increase, statistically improving the odds of an African team reaching the final for the first time.
Despite initial skepticism, FIFA’s intervention to stabilize CAF and Motsepe’s leadership have yielded positive results. Many national associations across Africa are now better managed and adapting to global standards. While there is still room for improvement in domestic leagues, CAF’s overall image has been significantly upgraded into that of a world-class organization.
CAF’s digital transformation has been particularly impressive. Its website is modern, well-run, and user-friendly, while its social media management team ensures daily engagement and updates across multiple platforms. Job opportunities and bidding processes are now openly advertised, enhancing transparency. Media rights remain a challenging issue, but the outlook is promising.
CAF is now positioned to revolutionize and globalize African football like never before. The leadership must remain focused, and the staff at CAF headquarters in Cairo must continue to demonstrate professionalism and dedication to keeping the organization at the cutting edge of the global football industry.
Regardless of those concerns, decisive action was necessary. FIFA deployed its then-Secretary General, Fatma Samoura—the first female Secretary General in the history of the male-dominated game—to oversee and stabilize CAF while a long-term solution was sought. Fast forward a few years, and South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, a businessman and passionate football supporter, ascended to the presidency of CAF.
His candidacy was met with skepticism, especially by those who had long advocated for African football to take its rightful place among the best in the world. After all, African players had consistently excelled in elite European leagues, making it paradoxical that the continent’s domestic leagues and continental competitions lagged behind.
However, since Motsepe took charge, CAF competitions have improved significantly in quality and global viewership. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), CAF's flagship tournament, shone brilliantly in its last edition in Ivory Coast and is poised to dazzle even more in its upcoming tournament in Morocco—a country perfectly positioned to attract European and American fans due to its geographical proximity and world-class facilities.
CAF's resurgence has coincided with historic milestones for African football on the global stage. For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, an African nation—Morocco—reached the semifinals in the 2022 tournament in Qatar. With FIFA's expansion to a 48-team format, Africa's representation will increase, statistically improving the odds of an African team reaching the final for the first time.
Despite initial skepticism, FIFA’s intervention to stabilize CAF and Motsepe’s leadership have yielded positive results. Many national associations across Africa are now better managed and adapting to global standards. While there is still room for improvement in domestic leagues, CAF’s overall image has been significantly upgraded into that of a world-class organization.
CAF’s digital transformation has been particularly impressive. Its website is modern, well-run, and user-friendly, while its social media management team ensures daily engagement and updates across multiple platforms. Job opportunities and bidding processes are now openly advertised, enhancing transparency. Media rights remain a challenging issue, but the outlook is promising.
CAF is now positioned to revolutionize and globalize African football like never before. The leadership must remain focused, and the staff at CAF headquarters in Cairo must continue to demonstrate professionalism and dedication to keeping the organization at the cutting edge of the global football industry.
By Leslie Koroma Sr - CEO, ASVG
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