Top-level footballers playing too many games will have a
damaging effect on the sport in future, the Confederation of African Football
(Caf) president has told the OceanNewsUK.
In recent weeks, a handful of leading figures in the game
have spoken out against the increase in games, with Manchester City and Spain
midfielder Rodri saying players are close to going on strike.
Fifa’s expanded 2025 Club World Cup has increased the
burden, since a competition that lasted around ten days and involved a maximum
of two matches for the big teams will now span a month and require seven
matches for victory.
“We don’t want them to play more than they should – it’s not
good for football, and it’s not good for the long-term success of the sport,”
Caf president Patrice Motsepe told OceanNewsUK.
“The commitment from all stakeholders is indeed the players’
health and condition, and the frequency which they have to be on the field is
important to us.”
Motsepe is the owner of Mamelodi Sundowns and the South
African club provides a good example of the workload faced by leading players.
Should South Africa qualify for the next World Cup and
Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), then Sundowns players – ten of whom were in the
squad that finished third at this year's Afcon – would not
have a break until mid-2027.
This is because Fifa's Club World Cup is in June-July 2025,
the following season contains a Nations Cup running from December 2025-January
2026, and the World Cup then takes place in June-July 2026.
In Europe, where the Champions League now has two extra
games, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is considering mid-season
holidays for his squad while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, a team-mate
of Egypt star Mohamed Salah, said players are tired of “having more games”.
“Part of what we have to do is to keep talking, keep
engaging but also keep listening,” said Motsepe.
“Solutions will be found that are in the interests of all
parties.”
Saudi investment
Motsepe was in London earlier this week to secure a
financial deal with Saudi Arabia regarding its hosting of the African Super
Cup, while the talks also explored further partnership opportunities.
The Saudi capital Riyadh will host the match between the
Champions League winners Al Ahly and Confederation Cup
champions Zamalek, external, both of whom hail from Egypt, on
27 September.
With millions of supporters across the Middle East, the
Cairo derby – which has long been seen as the biggest rivalry in African
football – sold out “within an hour”,, external said Caf.
For Motsepe, who has repeatedly stressed the need for Caf to
be financially self-sustainable, the interest from Saudi Arabia, which has been
accused of investing in sport to improve its international reputation, is
a welcome development.
“It brings two of the best African clubs together, playing
in Saudi,” he said.
“African football needs financial resources and the key
issue is that these resources must go on what they are supposed to.”
Caf had debts of $40-50m (£30–37.5m) when
Motsepe took charge in 2021 but the South African said earlier this week that
the deficit is now under $10m (£7.5m).
This is thanks to an increase in Nations Cup sponsors and
television rights, as well as the financial input from Saudi Arabia.
“The benefits of what we are doing will really be seen
three, five or seven years down the line,” said Motsepe.
‘Independent, ethical and credible’ investigation
As he tries to secure ever more business partners, Motsepe
is keenly aware of the importance of Caf’s global image.
The billionaire took charge of the organisation when
replacing Madagascar’s Ahmad, whose reign was marred by becoming the first Caf
president to be banned by Fifa for ethics abuses, including
misappropriation of funds.
While Motsepe’s Caf has largely steered clear of such
scandal, there is currently a misconduct investigation against
the body’s general secretary.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, who denies any wrongdoing, has stayed in
position during the investigation, which Motsepe insists has to be free of
outside influence.
“At the heart of any allegations is an independent, ethical
and credible assessment – and that’s why we were insisting that the entity
investigating these allegations has to be among the top in the world.”
“The key issue for somebody in my position is to allow the
investigators to do their work. We have to be able to continue to gain the
credibility and respect of all stakeholders.”
Kenya’s ‘exceptional guarantees’
Last weekend, Motsepe toured facilities in Kenya ahead of
confirming on Monday that the country would be one of three co-hosting the
forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for African players
based in their own domestic leagues.
Neighbours Tanzania and Uganda will also stage the finals as
the three countries continue their preparations to co-host the Africa
Cup of Nations in 2027, when the tournament is set to take place in
East Africa for the first time in over four decades.
Despite Kenya not having a stadium currently deemed suitable
to stage matches, Motsepe says he has been reassured by President William Ruto
that the nation, which lost hosting rights for the 1996 Nations Cup and 2018
CHAN because of poor preparations, will be ready.
“I trust President Ruto, I trust the president of Tanzania,
I trust the president of Uganda,” said the 62-year-old. “When you look people
in the eye, you can see the passion.”
“I’m going back [to Kenya] in December to make sure that the
excellent guarantees that I’ve been given have been implemented.”
Kenya is refurbishing two new stadiums – the Moi
International Sports Centre (60,000-capacity) and Nyayo Stadium (15,000) –
ahead of the CHAN, while also building the Talanta Sports City Stadium (60,000)
for the 2027 Afcon.
“A lot of work is already being done,” said Motsepe, who
toured Kenya’s stadiums on Sunday. “I saw a lot of excellent renovations and
upgrading taking place.”
After being closed for renovation in 2019, the Namboole
Stadium has been hosting games since May in Uganda, which is building another
Nations Cup stadium in Hoima, while Tanzania, which is also constructing new
arenas, already has the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The countries will host the CHAN between 1-28 February.
