HIBAPRESS – Sports
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football, called for overcoming the inferiority complex in the African discourse, considering that questioning the continent's ability to manage its football affairs harms it more than it serves it. He affirmed, during a press conference before the final of the African Cup of Nations, that African football has achieved tangible successes organizationally, technically, and commercially, calling for focusing on these gains instead of exaggerating shortcomings.
Motsepe stressed that CAF treats all member states with the same fairness without any advantage for the organizing country, confirming that governance and transparency are fundamental principles that are not debatable. Regarding refereeing, he acknowledged the existence of legitimate questions, but he considered that the assessment of CAF's credibility should be based on the course of the tournament as a whole, not on isolated moments.
The CAF President praised the success of the Moroccan edition of the African Cup of Nations, in terms of the quality of play, organization, and infrastructure, expressing his gratitude for the Moroccan hospitality, which he considered part of the country's culture. He also revealed that the tournament's revenues increased from 11 to 55 million dollars, and that the matches were broadcast to 180 countries, which confirms the economic and marketing power of the competition.
Motsepe confirmed that CAF's decisions, including organizing the tournament every four years, were taken unanimously after in-depth studies, stressing that the development of African football passes through investment in people and the grassroots, not just money, calling in conclusion for confidence in African capabilities and stopping self-criticism.
