Initially four election contestants, but now united in one cause, Jacques Anouma, Patrice Motsepe, Augustin Senghor and Ahmed Yahya have jointly agreed in Rabat, Morocco, and confirmed at a ceremony of African unity held at of the Palais des Congrès in Nouakchott, Mauritania, a proposed new direction for CAF and African football for the future.
In the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, several members of the FIFA Council and CAF Executive Committee, as well as more than 20 presidents of African member associations, the four directors have reiterated that what unites them much stronger than they could share. This was the reason it was decided that they should come together and form a team led by Patrice Motsepe ahead of the CAF presidential elections scheduled to be held on Friday 12 March in Rabat, Morocco.
It forms the basis of a common program, promoted on the first manifesto of the four candidates, and will include contributions from all African members and stakeholders in a participatory and inclusive process.
“I am delighted that FIFA can contribute, even if only slightly, to this crucial moment for football on this great continent,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. after the event. “The agreement reached by the applicants is a strong signal for Africa, and also for the world. Africa is present and is a key player for the future of world football. This is also a sign of unity and commitment in taking African football to the highest level where it should be. A united Africa lies behind a stronger concrete vision and project. United we are stronger. This is what we have been hearing from the African member associations in recent weeks, so I am sure that they are also very pleased at this time. There are great challenges ahead, but also great opportunities, and I am committed to FIFA’s support and encouragement to achieve them, particularly in line with FIFA Forward’s objectives of infrastructure investment, good governance, development and competition. ”
Patrice Motsepe, the remaining candidate for the CAF leadership, said: “African football needs universal wisdom, but also the unique talent and wisdom of every president of every country and every member association. That is what inspires me. When we all work together with the knowledge, talent and passion, football in Africa will find unprecedented success and growth. It needs all of us.
“Football has a special role to play,” he said. “The most popular players are from Africa. Africa has proven time and time again that God has given us talent among the players on this continent. The male, junior and female players are also emerging. It ‘s wonderful to have good plans and ideas, it’ s even more amazing to have a passion. Our goal must be for one of the countries to win the World Cup. I think it will happen soon. The talent is there. Continued investment in youth and academies and global competition will be crucial. We need to engage the private sector in financial resources. The commitment to development and continuity continues to invest in regulatory transparency. ”
Mr Motsepe’s commitment was also matched by Ahmed Yahya, President of the Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM), who hosted the event on the day of the 2021 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations finals. “We are here to unite, and to be together for the advancement of African football,” he said. “When I started my campaign, ‘Together, for African football’, I truly believed in it, and that we needed to work hard together. I had to put my knowledge, experience and vitality at an African football service. I had no problem sitting down at the table with my advocacy friends to discuss a common agenda. No one bothered us. We are all autonomous. But it was a good venture, because the solution was to come together, work together, and look for a better future for football. African, not a question of careers. We talked about our programs and decided to create a common one. So this is a common program that makes African football better. ”
For Jacques Anouma, former president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), the new partnership offers a unity that has so far escaped to Africa. “I am delighted to be here with you to celebrate the unity of the African football family,” he said. “It was a decision that was debated between the four of us, and the position from the outset was to make sure that we go for unity in this election, because we were already tired enough of everything that was said about CAF. This unity was built around a common program that we all wanted. I totally share this idea of coming together, about sharing our experiences and knowledge. It would be a good thing for our common passion. I fully support and encourage this initiative. ”
Augustin Senghor, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), was also looking forward to the challenges ahead, and the new path for African football. “I would like to thank you for accepting that I am one of yours and in particular that we are heading towards this potentially changing adventure against CAF,” he said. “He decided. We will be behind the one chosen, Patrice, to help him succeed, not for him, but for all of African football. ”