A new chapter has opened for African football: for the first time in the history of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), English-speaking Africa has been given a chance to lead African football.
Last Friday, former Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe was unanimously elected as the eighth president of CAF – a position that makes him one of the vice- presidents of Fifa, the global football governing body.
Motsepe’s ascendancy to the continental football body is significant on so many levels. Having run a clean and dignified campaign, Motsepe offers the continent a once-in-lifetime chance to realise its full potential in global football. Despite serving as an incubator of talent for top-flight soccer leagues around the world, the continent hasn’t really been taken seriously, especially by sponsors and broadcasters.
In part, this has been caused by the own goals of Africans themselves. For example, the tenure of Motsepe’s immediate predecessor, Ahmad Ahmad, ended prematurely after he was forced out of the job following a ban by Fifa. He was accused of financial misconduct and breach of the code of ethics.
Indeed, this is not to suggest that the continent is alone in being dogged by corruption. Even Fifa itself has been mired in controversy.
The good thing is that Motsepe is not only alive to these realities, but he has what it takes to tackle the key challenges facing African football. Prior to running for CAF presidency, Motsepe had contributed to local football through Sundowns and amateur soccer development via generous contributions made by his family’s charitable foundation.
As it became clear that his election was guaranteed, Motsepe stepped down from the helm of Sundowns to avoid a conflict of interest; as CAF president he is not allowed to own a soccer club. This is an important step, signaling his commitment to good corporate governance and adherence to the highest standards of corporate ethics.
Lifting the veil of secrecy that has tended to shroud the running of continental football will be key to his drive to restore the reputation of African soccer. With immediate effect, he has to stop the intrigue that has often accompanied CAF’s affairs.
At his inaugural media conference over the weekend, he outlined his priorities. These included improving the quality of football so that spectators can return to the stadiums and sponsors can get value for their money. Related to this is the issue of the prize money of the various continental tournaments – quite rightly, he wants to raise the winnings.
Indeed, a key priority will be sorting out the chaotic finances of CAF. By all accounts, the continent’s football is hugely undervalued.
On top of his in-tray is the issue of broadcasting rights which are a lifeline of professional soccer. Professionalising the negotiations of these rights will assist greatly in getting closer to the appropriate value of African football.
Also, sorting out the sometimes confusing continental football calendar will go a long way towards restoring respect for CAF.
Importantly, Motsepe knows that he cannot achieve his ambitious agenda without the support of at least three key stakeholders: namely, Africa’s three regions, CAF’s staff and a functional and dynamic relationship with Fifa based on mutual respect.
Keeping CAF’s three regions – Anglophone, Francophone and Arabic/Portuguese – engaged and supportive of his vision is a function of politics and diplomacy and will, most likely, consume most of his time. Divisions among the regions could scupper his agenda. Hiring professionals to help him run CAF is possible, but won’t be easy.
At a personal level, Motsepe enjoys a warm relationship with Gianni Infantino, Fifa’s boss. This is a good start. He needs to harness this personal chemistry and Infantino’s interest in Africa’s soccer affairs to work for African football as well as the global football community.
Together with Fifa, Motsepe faces the immediate challenge of figuring out how to keep global football calendar running during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Until the pandemic is defeated, the stop-start will be the order of the day in the short-to-medium term.
Arguably, Motsepe is uniquely positioned to unite African football and take it beyond just producing international stars and spectators.
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