Staff Reporter.
Newly elected Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe is back in SA following last Friday’s elections.
He will brief the media about his immediate plans.
Motsepe, whose candidacy was announced by the SA Football Association (Safa) in November, stood unopposed at Caf’s 43rd General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.
He will serve a four-year term until the next elective congress in 2025.
Motsepe has no doubt that the Africa Cup of Nations should be held every two years‚ he said in his first press conference back in SA since his election on Tuesday.
He appeared to put to rest where he stands on one of the bigger recent debates in African football — whether the Nations Cup should continue to run every two years or be reduced to every four years.
Motsepe said that‚ with Caf having posted a loss for the past two years‚ the organisation needed its showpiece competition to take place every two years to maximise sponsorship revenue.
“This is one area where there were different views [at Caf’s assembly]. And I’ve no doubt that‚ where we are now‚ it has to be every two years — there’s no doubt about that‚” Motsepe said.
“Let me say something quickly — African football needs partners‚ and you need partners who can make things happen. You’ve got partners who’ve got brilliant ideas‚ which is fine. You’ve got partners who’ll have courage — that’s fine. But we need partners who will be with us on the ground‚ and in this practical‚ tangible‚ assessable manner that can make a difference in Africa.”
“So [Fifa president Gianni] Infantino‚ in all of the discussions and with his passion for‚ commitment to and partnership with, African football‚ to make it succeed‚ and the discussions I’ve had with him for some time … I need him to help us do the things we need to do for Africa.
“Just like I need the private sector‚ and we will be working with the other [football] leadership on the other continents. As I engage with them I need to do what’s in the best interests of Africa.”
There has been an argument that a Nations Cup every four years would increase the value and competitiveness of the competition‚ and perhaps ease some of the club-vs-country battles for players to be released.
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Video Courtesy of SABC.