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This conviction is fuelled by Morocco's impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals.
Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has expressed confidence in an African country clinching the FIFA World Cup trophy soon.
This conviction is fuelled by Morocco's impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals.
"Morocco's qualification to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was the first such achievement by an African nation,” Motsepe said during CAF’s 45th Ordinary Assembly.
“This reflects the significant improvement in the global competitiveness of African football and gives us confidence that our objective of ensuring that an African nation wins the FIFA World Cup is within reach."
Reflecting on the momentous achievement, the South African veteran football administrator expressed optimism for the future of African football.
He credits this to the reforms initiated by CAF aimed at fostering positive development in the sport across the continent.
"I am confident that the changes and reforms that we have introduced in African football will make football on the African Continent globally competitive and self-supporting," Motsepe added.
Beyond the competitive aspect, Motsepe highlighted football's unique ability to unite people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
He reasserted CAF's commitment to using the sport as a platform for improving living conditions and promoting unity across Africa.
The CAF president divulged that the confederation has invested $550,000 to roll out the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and related training courses for operators in each CAF zonal union.
Plans are underway to establish VAR training centers in these zones to further support this initiative.
"We’ve always believed that the success and growth of football on the African Continent is dependent on the success and growth of football in each Member Association country,” he stated.
“Building partnerships with sponsors, investors, and Governments is essential for the competitiveness and growth of football in each African country," Motsepe explained.
He further emphasized CAF's dedication to enhancing the value of the continent's premier football competitions.
"The prize monies of all major CAF competitions have been increased significantly over the past two years, and this has contributed to improving the competitiveness of our competitions," he stressed.
With these far-reaching reforms and strategic investments, Motsepe paints a bright picture for the future of African football, predicting not just continental success, but a real chance for global glory in the not-too-distant future.
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