During a press conference at the Africa Cup of Nations, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe outlined his ongoing commitment to a united and respected future for football across the continent.
Dr. Motsepe began with a firm principle on equality, stating, “Every country in Africa will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. No one will be treated differently so long as I am CAF President.” This message underscored his drive for fair and inclusive governance.
Addressing the tournament itself, the President declared the current edition “the most successful AFCON in history,” praising the “beautiful” quality of football on display. He linked this success directly to the sport’s growth, noting, “We will succeed only if our football is exciting and people pay to see it.”
To ensure this growth, Dr. Motsepe highlighted key areas for continued work, including improving refereeing standards and the use of technology like VAR. He also set a clear condition for hosting future events, expressing his desire for all African zones to stage tournaments but stressing that they “must have top quality facilities.”
The President acknowledged the powerful role of media, saying, “Our credibility depends on what the reporters say,” and shared his pride in seeing global football stars attend the event to support African football.
Concluding with a theme of unity, Dr. Motsepe praised the hospitality shown by host nation Morocco. “It’s beautiful to hear people say that. We must bring our people together through football,” he said. “We must be united.”