Bullish Motsepe Launches CAF Africa Super League
Flanked by his staunchest supporter, Gianni Infantino, bullish CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe launched the ambitious Africa Super League project. Motsepe was speaking at the 44th CAF Ordinary Congress in Arusha, Tanzania, where he also announced CAF’s support for Infantino in the next FIFA elections.
“The Africa Super League is one of the most exciting developments in the history of African football and the objective in terms of what we are trying to achieve is very clear, number one is to make sure African club football is world class and competes with the best in the world. This about the future of African football, this is about African taking charge of its future. To do this, we need money,” stressed Motsepe, who has not been deterred by any voice of concern over the proposed league.
One of the concerns raised by the African football community is that the Super League was rejected spectacularly in Europe. This misconception lies in the fact that the Africa Super League is set up differently from what was proposed in Europe. Aside from the name Super League, the two projects are miles apart. The Africa Super is the first of its kind in world football.
“The success of club football is based on commercial viability. The Africa Super League for us is thee most important intervention to the development and advancement of football in Africa,” explained Motsepe.
One point that gives the Africa Super League impetus is the loss of African talent to lower European leagues. With the successful implementation of the Africa Super League, we might save a handful of young men from getting lost in the European football wilderness. There would be no need to go and play in division three or four clubs when a similar or higher salary is available here at home.
“African clubs have never had a good foundation, financially to keep some of the best players in Africa, to stay in Africa, from an income perspective, they love the continent, they want to be in Africa, so the financial part of club football is a critical issue and what we’re hoping to do is improve the quality of football,” Motsepe told the gathering of African football’s custodians.
Motsepe did not divulge any sponsorship details, but his confidence indicates he knows where upward of $100 million needed to run this historical project will come from. Those in South Africa will know that Motsepe has always been a huge fundraiser for many projects and initiatives, so getting the money for the Africa Super League might be the least of all our worries.
“The next press conference that we will have is where we will be announcing the formal launch, giving you the final feedback in relation to commencement and the implementation of the Africa Super League,” concluded the CAF billionaire boss.
So while Africa rants and raves, Dr Patrice Motsepe and his CAF executive sit on the verge of history as we look forward to kicking off the world’s first continental football super league.
