The election of Dr Patrice Motsepe to head the Confederation of African Football likely marks the moment the continent has long been waiting for to turn around its game.
The South African billionaire is well regarded. He is not only an astute businessman but has earned his credentials with how he turned his club Mamelodi Sundowns from failure after he purchased it in 2004 to win the CAF Champions League in 2016.
The club is now the most powerful in South Africa with seven league titles to its name. This marks Motsepe as a man who knows his game and the passion it must take to succeed.
And he is not shy to say it: "I will not be the president of an organization which, in 4 years, will not have made significant, tangible, practical and accessible progress. It will not happen,” he was emphatic during a press conference after taking CAF leadership.
He takes over from Madagascan Ahmad Ahmad’s troubled rein that was plagued with accusations of corruption, nepotism and financial mismanagement. A PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ report had found CAF’s financial record as "unreliable and not trustworthy.”
The report points to an issue of governance, something Motsepe will have to urgently deal with. His 10-point manifesto anticipates this, along with issues such as ensuring competent refereeing and entrenching Video Assistant Referees (VAR).
Crucially, though, much will depend on sponsorships and strategic partnerships, which the manifesto also anticipates.
The issue of TV blackout of CAF games has particularly been galling these past couple of years. The termination of the $1 billion television and marketing rights deal with France-based company Lagardère Sport in November 2019 resulted in the blackout through SuperSport—the continent’s largest sports broadcaster.
It is not to put too fine a point to emphasise the disappointment, and that any TV deals should guarantee CAF income in all competitions— the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers and club competitions— are on TV. The new president is well seized by this.
But there is the pending matter of the Cup of Nations, the continent's flagship event, whether there are plans to limit its frequency.
Asked about it, he was categorical: "Total Afcon at present must take place every two years," he assured. He however qualified this saying the matter was not closed to a discussion with partners.
The idea was first raised last year in proposals by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, to reduce the number Afcon is held from once every two years to once every four years.
Predictably, the proposal raised some uproar, the tournament being Africa’s most prized competition. The more frequently it is held, the more it might generate much-needed cash.
But some of FIFA’s proposals including initiatives such as to develop and grow women and youth football are reflected in Motsepe’s 10-point plan.
This can only be a good thing, as the future of African football lies in the youth while it can only enhance the women’s game if they are better included.
The larger picture is about higher ideals. To quote him, "Football is a powerful tool to reassert the pride, the dignity, the global respect of Africans, and Africa can produce and compete at the highest level in the world, both at the World Cup as well as the FIFA club championships.”
Despite grumbles that FIFA might be interfering a bit too much in CAF compared to, say, Europe or South America, one cannot fault the role the global body must continue to play if the continent must realise all the game has to offer. Recall that FIFA is composed of member association such as CAF from all regions in the world.
Motsepe’s election brings some welcome change in terms of inclusion. For the first time in its 64-year history, CAF has an Anglophone president.
And, in addition to increasing the number of vice presidents to better serve the continent, they now include a woman bringing to five from three vice presidents previously.
The views expressed in this article are of the author.