Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe maintains that football is more important than any personal ambitions of those running for senior positions at different football structures in the continent.
Motsepe expressed this view while addressing the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) annual general meeting held in Johannesburg on Saturday morning.
The Sanef meeting was hosted hours before the hotly contested South African Football Association’s (Safa) elective congress were incumbent Danny Jordaan is expected to face off with Ria Ledwaba for the position of Safa head.
The lead-up to the Safa elective congress has been marred by numerous challenges with some delegates attending the congress claiming to have received death threats.
On Friday, a few members of the media covering a briefing on the elective congress allege that they were manhandled by Safa officials after posing several questions to Jordaan.
Motsepe also spoke about the latest developments around Safa, saying those running for senior positions in football must put the interests of the country above their personal ambitions.
“Sport plays a critical role in the advancement of our country’s democracy. I am the president of Caf, football in South Africa is more important than any personal ambitions or plans I might have. So, all of us must learn to subjugate our personal ambitions and our egos to advance the interest of football in this country,” said Motsepe.
During the lead-up to the Safa elective congress, Ledwaba approached the Pretoria high court in a bid to stop the election claiming that the organisation's constitutional changes are deliberately meant to keep Jordaan in the presidency chair. But the court rejected Ledwaba’s appeal.
Motsepe told Sanef delegates that he is keeping a close eye on raised allegations and other developments at the Safa House.
“I have to be guided by the Fifa and Caf committees that have been set up to monitor what is happening here. We have a bad history on the continent were we have not recognised or respected the role of women in all spheres of society. I can assure we are keeping a serious eye on what is happening here,” he said.
The South African billionaire also used the Sanef meeting to pour praises on the country’s constitution.
Mamelodi Sundowns owner said SA has “world class judges” that are doing their best to make this country a suitable place to live for all races.
He said football and the media must be utilised more to resolve some of the challenges faced by all South Africans.
“Football is used around the world to address racism. Let us adopt similar concepts and have programmes like Football Against Corruption. A credible, free and independent media industry throughout the African continent can help us improve our condition and protect our hard-earned democracy,” said Motsepe.
Motsepe also spoke at length about the importance of grassroots sport programmes, saying he is confident that an African country will soon win the Fifa World Cup.
