“BUILDING AFRICAN FOOTBALL TO BE THE BEST IN THE WORLD”
DR PATRICE MOTSEPE
“CAF 10 POINT ACTION PLAN”
Dr Patrice Motsepe, the President and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns FC celebrating the 2016 CAF Champions League victory
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Africa has for many decades produced some of the best football players in the world who are admired and celebrated worldwide.
Now is the time, to develop and retain in Africa, some of these talented and exceptional players and build African football to be globally competitive and self- sustaining with world-class infrastructure and facilities.
If I am honoured and privileged to be elected President of the Confederation of African Football (‘CAF’), I will work together with the CAF Executive Committee, the Member Association Presidents, the 6 Regional/Zonal Association Presidents, the CAF Administration, FIFA, National Governments, Africa-based and international businesses and corporations, philanthropists, African and international finance and development corporations and agencies and all other African and global football stakeholders and partners to contribute to building African football to be the best in the world.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC winning the 2016 CAF Champions League
I have been passionate about football since I was a little boy and have over the years seen and experienced the unique power and capacity of football to bring together and unite people from different countries, racial, linguistic, tribal and religious backgrounds and its ability to create jobs and provide livelihoods to millions of poor and marginalised people in Africa and globally. This is important
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particularly in the context of providing opportunities and building a promising future for the approximately 270 million Africans between the ages of 14 and 25.
Dr Patrice Motsepe with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebration Challenge 2018
Building African football to be the best in the world requires a results-driven multipronged strategy and approach which I am committed to lead and implement within the stated timelines. This results-driven strategy and approach includes:
Mamelodi Sundowns FC in action against FC Barcelona during the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebration Challenge 2018 Photo credit: Huffingtonpost.co.za 3
1. Investing in developing and growing football in each African country and building partnerships and sponsorships with the private sector and other potential partners At the heart of building African football to be the best in the world is investing in the development, growth, global competitiveness and sustainability of football in each African country. We will visit each country within 9 to 12 months and will initiate discussions with the Member Association Presidents and leadership to identify and implement priority development and growth projects and to ensure that football is popular with a growing supporter and TV base in each country and on the African Continent and over time around the world. We are committed to ensuring that CAF and its 54 Member Associations in the medium to long term period are self-supporting and globally competitive. In this regard, we will build mutually beneficial partnerships and sponsorship relationships with local, Africa-based and international businesses and corporations doing business in Africa; as well as with philanthropists, international finance and development corporations and agencies and other potential partners. With this new era of commercialisation, the objective is also to triple the amount of solidarity investment that is shared with the Member Associations through new, innovative development programmes that will enable and support the Member Association activities in the best possible way and unlock the full potential of African football.
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Algeria winning the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations Photo credit: Africa News
Al Ahly SC winning the 2020 Total CAF Champions League Photo credit: naijasuperfans.com
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2. Improving the efficiency and professionalism of CAF’s Competitions and its staff We will contribute to improving the efficiency, administration and organisation of CAF’s competitions as well as the professionalism and productivity of its staff and will also put in place medical best practices particularly in the context of Covid-19. It is also important to significantly increase the prize money of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and of the top Pan African club competitions. This will contribute to the improvement in the quality of African football, its youth and women’s football academies and infrastructure and also increase the African and global fan and TV interest. An upgraded and commercially attractive CAF Africa Cup of Nations will be launched within 2 years and the current format of the CAF men’s club competition will also be reviewed, restructured and launched within 2 years.
TP Mazembe winning the CAF Champions League 2015 Photo credit: Congo Planet News
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Nigeria winning the 2018 Total Women Africa Cup of Nations Photo credit: goal.com
Egypt winning the U-23 Men's 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations Photo credit: Egyptian Streets
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3. Implementing and adhering to governance and auditing global best practices We will focus on contributing to building a respected, credible and ethical football governing association in every country in Africa and also focus on contributing to building an equally respected, credible and ethical African continental football governing body - CAF that is transparent and accountable and that implements and adheres to auditing and governance global best practices. Discussions and consultations will be held with the CAF Executive Committee, Member Association Presidents and other stakeholders within a period of 3 to 6 months to identify and implement the necessary changes and reforms.
Photo credit: Fifa.com
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Dr Patrice Motsepe at the World Economic Forum (WEF) The WEF is globally respected for its promotion of adherence to governance and auditing global best practices Photo credit: World Economic Forum Archives
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4. Investing in African football infrastructure We are committed to ensuring that at least one quality national stadium in every country is built, where none currently exists, in accordance with FIFA’s international quality standards and also building at least 200 football pitches.
The football stadiums and pitches can also be used for other sporting codes, music concerts and other events and may be part of business and residential property development projects in partnership with African and international businesses and corporations. These property development projects may include shopping centres, youth and women development football facilities, hotels, office buildings, restaurants, and other commercial infrastructure.
The plan and strategy for investing and developing football infrastructure and facilities for each African country will be based and influenced by its specific medium to long term infrastructure requirements.
Grand Stade Adrar Agadir Stadium, Morocco Photo credit: International Illuminance Services
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M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium in Nigeria Photo credit: futaa.com
Rufaro Stadium in Zimbabwe Photo credit: Actglobal.com
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5. Investing in our youth and in the future of African football Building youth football development facilities and infrastructure for boys and girls and promoting schools football in as many schools as possible, is important for the growth and long term success of African football. Greater support will be provided to the 6 Regional/Zonal Associations to organise and host youth national team competitions for girls and boys, Under 15’s, 17’s and 20’s on an annual basis at regional level and within 12 to 18 months at continental level. It is also our intention to double the annual payments for investment in youth football to each Member Association within 1 year.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC Academy U-11 team Photo credit: Archives
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Cameroon winning the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 Photo credit: crawler.com.ng
Dr Patrice Motsepe handing over the prize money of the Kay Motsepe National Schools Football Competition in which 7 500 schools participate and which is sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation Photo credit: Archives
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6. Developing and growing women’s football Despite the financial, logistical, infrastructure and other challenges, Africa’s women’s football shows much promise; as was demonstrated during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France when their technical level and goal scoring abilities indicated that they could hold their own against the best women’s teams in the world. There will be extensive consultation and discussions with women’s football participants and stakeholders and a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions and proposed reforms for Africa’s women’s football will be undertaken. African women’s competitions will also be restructured and rebranded within 2 years and in close coordination with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure its long term sustainability and growth.
Equatorial Guinea winning the CAF Women’s Cup of Nations in 2012 Photo Credit: cafonline
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Nigeria Women’s National Football Team celebrating a goal Photo credit: Guardian Nigeria
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7. Protecting the integrity and professionalising refereeing Refereeing is the cornerstone of football worldwide. The integrity, independence and professionalism of referees is crucial for the credibility and success of football in Africa. The elite refereeing programme jointly developed by CAF and FIFA in 2020 will be rolled out within 6 months. This programme will raise refereeing standards and enable regular and complete assessments of the standard of refereeing in Africa. Training and education of female referees will also be conducted and encouraged to increase the number of female referees officiating at top tier professional football.
Photo credit: Backpage
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Match Referee Akhona Makalima during the 2019 COSAFA Women Championship match between Namibia and Botswana Photo credit: BackpagePix
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8. Video assistant referees (‘VAR’) VAR will be implemented at all CAF senior competitions. Each Member Association participating in international and inter-regional competitions should also invest in a light VAR system. Appropriate training and skills for the video assistant referees will be provided.
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9. Statutory reforms We will initiate discussions and consultations within 3 to 6 months to assess and identify the statutory reforms and changes that are essential to improve and strengthen the administrative, managerial and operational efficiency of CAF, its Member Associations and the Regional/Zonal Associations and to implement transparency, accountability and adherence to auditing and governance global best practices. A Task Force on strategic development will be established and it will include the 6 Regional/Zonal Association Presidents, the CAF President and the CAF Vice Presidents. This Task Force will also meet prior to every CAF Executive Committee meeting.
Photo credit: pixabay
Photo credit: alamy
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10. Partnerships with FIFA and other Continental governing bodies We are committed to building a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship and partnership with FIFA and also with all the other Continental Football governing bodies in the world. These relationships and partnerships will be based on advancing the best interests of Africa, CAF and its Member Associations.
Photo Credit: fifa.com
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The future looks bright The future for a self-sustaining, globally competitive and successful African football industry has never been brighter.
By implementing all of the changes and reforms that we will introduce, CAF and its 54 Member Associations will be self-supporting and globally respected; Africa’s men’s and women’s national football teams and their professional and amateur teams can confidently participate in future FIFA World Cup and World Club Competitions with self-assurance and confidence that they can succeed and win at the highest level of world football.
Nigeria winning Olympic Gold in 1996 Photo credit : Diski101.com
Cameroon winning Olympic Gold in 2000 Photo credit: Archyde
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DR PATRICE MOTSEPE THE PHILANTHROPIST
Dr Patrice Motsepe with President Nelson Mandela after making a donation to the Nelson Mandela Foundation Photo credit: Alamy
Dr Patrice Motsepe with President Nelson Mandela Photo credit: Archives
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Dr Patrice Motsepe with President Barak Obama at the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture which was hosted in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Motsepe Foundation Photo credit: Archives
Dr Patrice Motsepe with President Barak Obama, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa at the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Photo credit: Archives
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Dr Patrice Motsepe with the Leader of the South African Muslim Faith, Moulana Bham, Secretary General of the Jamiat Ulama South Africa. The Motsepe Foundation has for many decades been working with the 35 largest Religious and Faith-based organisations in Southern Africa Photo credit: Archives
Dr Patrice Motsepe with the Leader of the Southern African Union of Orthodox Synagogues, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Photo credit: Archives
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Dr Patrice Motsepe with His Grace Dr Bishop B Lekganyane, the Leader of the Zion Christian Church which is one of the largest Religious Organisations in Africa at the 2018 Motsepe Foundation National Day of Prayer Photo credit: Archives
Dr Patrice Motsepe with His Grace Archbishop Thabo C Makgoba Leader of the Southern African Anglican Church Photo credit: Archives
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Dr Patrice Motsepe addressing the Motsepe Foundation 2019 National Day of Prayer Photo credit: Archives
The Motsepe Foundation 2018 National Day of Prayer, hosted by the Motsepe Foundation and attended by 140 000 people and watched live on TV in 34 countries in Africa Photo credit: Archives
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Approximately 800 000 boys and girls have received soccer balls from the Motsepe Foundation over the past few years as part of its “Christmas with our People” project for children from poor and marginalised communities Photo credit: Archives
Dr Patrice Motsepe handing over the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Netball trophy to the winning team. The Motsepe Foundation hosts the Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Netball Competition in which 96 000 girls participate annually, this is the biggest schools’ netball tournament in Southern Africa Photo credit: Archives
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Dr Patrice Motsepe at the 2018 Mandela 100 Global Citizen Festival in South Africa, during which the Motsepe Foundation pledged an amount of US$243 million towards a uniting, multi-racial and inclusive land reform dispensation Photo credit: Archives
Dr Patrice Motsepe with His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, King of the Zulu nation. The Motsepe Foundation has for many decades funded development and upliftment projects for traditional and royal communities in Southern Africa Photo credit: Archives
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DR PATRICE MOTSEPE THE GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER AND ENTREPRENEUR
Forbes Magazine commemorated its 100th Anniversary in 2017 and honoured Dr Patrice Motsepe as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in the world alongside prominent global business leaders including Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and others. Dr Motsepe is the only person living on the African Continent to be recognised and honoured as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in the world Photo credit: Forbes/Johnny Wolf Photography
Photo credit: Forbes
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Dr Patrice Motsepe with Nigerian global business leader, Mr Aliko Dangote at the Africa Investment Forum Photo credit: thisisafrica
Dr Patrice Motsepe with the former Minister of Minerals and Energy visiting a platinum mine, which employs 6 000 workers and is co-owned by African Rainbow Minerals (‘ARM’) which was founded by Dr Patrice Motsepe Photo credit: Archives
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DR PATRICE MOTSEPE THE PASSIONATE FOOTBALL SUPPORTER AND FOLLOWER
Dr Patrice Motsepe, President and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns FC celebrating the Castle Premiership League title in 2007 which was won by Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Dr Patrice Motsepe, President and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns FC celebrating his club winning the 2017/2018 Premier Soccer League (‘PSL’) in South Africa. Mamelodi Sundowns FC is the most successful club in the PSL history, having won t he PSL title a record 10 times
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Dr Patrice Motsepe with Ronaldinho in 2007 when Mamelodi Sundowns FC hosted FC Barcelona in South Africa
Dr Patrice Motsepe celebrating with Mamelodi Sundowns FC players and supporters after winning the 2020 Telkom Cup
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