The 43rd General Assembly of the African Football Confederation (CAF) will take place on March 12, 2021 in Rabat. This will lead to the election of Patrice Motsepe to the presidency of the CAF. Some unrest hovers in African football before this GA.
From our special correspondent in Rabat,
Patrice Motsepe smiles broadly, her anticovid mask under the chin. The South African laughs through the Sofitel lobby in Rabat, the hotel where the 43rd General Assembly (GA) of the African Football Confederation (CAF) is being held. The billionaire has already been followed by a real court two days before his election to the CAF presidency, scheduled for March 12, 2021. Shortly afterwards, we see him eating with his close guard, consisting mainly of the South African Danny Jordaan, of the Nigerian Amaju Pinnick and the Zimbabwean Philip Chiyangwa.
The next day, it is with Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Football Association (FIFA), that he goes to the official dinner.
However, Patrice Motsepe’s good humor and relaxation contrasts with a kind of unrest that hangs before this GA.
“It’s a comedy”
In fact, the tensions are not lacking: CAF Ahmad’s outgoing president has had his suspension reduced to 2 years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but will not be able to for another term. The interim leader, Constant Omari, is under investigation by the International Football Association (FIFA) and has not been allowed to participate in a new term in the FIFA Council.
Above all, the withdrawal of Motsepe’s three opponents, the Ivorian Jacques Anouma, the Senegalese Augustin Senghor and the Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya, gives this election a surreal dimension. As we moved toward the most open vote in CAF history, the three West Africans lined up behind the South African. Officially in favor of continental football. “It’s a comedy,” sighs a CAF leader on condition of anonymity.
Gathered in Morocco in late February to discuss possible convergences, Anouma, Senghor and Yahya were all surprised to discover the presence of Motsepe. FIFA representatives were also present. This is what converging sources indicate. None of them gladly accepted this “Rabat compromise”, although Senghor is supposed to be the CAF’s 1st Vice President, Yahya the 2nd, and Anouma Motsepe’s Special Adviser.
An observer present thus deplores a “parody of democracy”. “It will be a crown achievement,” a journalist acknowledges.
“Patrice Motsepe lives up to expectations”
However, many people are particularly concerned about the financial fragility of an institution that is being undermined by four years of costly management and one year of Covid-19. CAF’s reserves have melted, and Patrice Motsepe is expected to bring sponsors and partners back thanks to his address book. “I think he will be ready for the task,” defends Moïse Katumbi. The Congolese businessman, head of Tout Puissant Mazembe, has known Motsepe for several years. “He is a good manager, he should not be underestimated. I support him because I know there will be a change with him ”.
However, a federation president wonders: will the (future) new head of African football really have time to assume his responsibilities in the CAF? A leader from the Association invites you to give the tycoon a chance. He will be there to give a “new course” to African football, he says.
In any case, FIFA President Gianni Infantino did not hide his satisfaction before the general meeting. “The weather is good here in Rabat and it certainly bodes well for the CAF Congress (sic),” he joked on his arrival in Morocco. It is a congress that will be placed under the sign of unity and the future of African football ”. A few hours later, the head of world football went to play a match for fun. Because behind the scenes, the game is already folded.
Words by Moïse Katumbi collected by Olivier Pron,
.
