CAF chief: ”African team must-win World Cup”
After just four days in office, he laid down his plans to ensure that Africa's sports reach a notch higher. Motsepe was speaking at a press conference held in Johannesburg earlier this month.
Patrice Motsepe was elected as the President of the Confederation of African Football [CAF]. After just four days in office, he laid down his plans to ensure that Africa’s sports reach a notch higher. Motsepe was speaking at a press conference held in Johannesburg earlier this month.
The South African mining billionaire, 59 years old, took over as the President of the Confederation of African Football during a General Assembly meeting in Morocco. There was no need for voting after FIFA brokered a deal that left the other three competitors with no option but to withdraw from the race amicably, leaving Patrice as the sole candidate. The new President said that the African National teams should look forward to having at least one team win the coveted trophy-World Cup.
In his manifesto, the new CAF President had stated that one of his primary goals is to bring the World Cup to Africa’s streets. On paper, it may look easy, but the actual job is left to the players to pull up their socks and be at par with the best teams in the World.
He also talked about attracting the private sector into the project by seeking sponsorship deals for African football. The president-elect insisted on the need to increase sponsorship on our very own AFCON by making it more substantial. The President assured Africans that he would be proactive in bringing cohesion within the 56 members of CAF. As the head of CAF, that makes him automatically the FIFA vice president and a member of the FIFA Council.
Past performances by the African teams have been promising, although they have not yielded a trophy. Past tournaments have yielded defining moments to give hope to the continent, although not many have resulted in internationally recognized results.
The potential is there, and all that is needed is to unlock it. The next World Cup will occur in Qatar in 2022, with Betway Soccer betting offering the best odds on all games. Betway also allows punters to wager on live games. Africa is home to 54 countries. The National teams assemble a group of the best players in the domestic leagues. Therefore, if a coach gets his tactics and players right, he can mount a challenge in the upcoming tournament, and we could see an African team bring the trophy home.
Numerous challenges face the National teams across Africa. It is upon the governing bodies to ensure they address them if they are willing to mount a challenge against the World’s elite. The team’s performances on the field have shown glimpses of a great future, but it’s high time the teams develop measures to tame indiscipline if they are to progress further into the tournament.
Will Africa ever win the World Cup?
The technical display, occasional brilliance, and aggressive physical expression of African football talent at the World Cup earned appreciation, excited spectators. It attracted more African kids to participate in the game. Having more kids growing into soccer-related environments means the future of African soccer is bright. More football academies are being developed all over Africa, and that is a clear indication that the continent is taking up football seriously. The new President’s appointment will help propel the continent in the right direction, and with time, an African team will bring the cup home.
