CAF Commits to Advancing the Interests and Rights of African Football Players

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, June 22, 2023 – The president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe says the body is committed to "advancing the interests and rights of our football players, clubs, national teams, our Member Associations, Zonal Unions and all football stakeholders on the African Continent.”

The South African was speaking on Thursday, June 22 during the FIFPRO Africa Congress in Gaborone, Botswana. Ahead of the Congress, President Motsepe held discussions with FIFPRO Africa President, Cameroon’s Geremie Njitap, FIFPRO President David Aganzo and FIFPRO Leadership, as reported by CAFonline.

“CAF is committed to promoting and advancing the interests and rights of our football players, clubs, national teams, our Member Associations, Zonal Unions and all football stakeholders on the African Continent,” said Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF President.

“One of the key objectives of the African Super League is to work together with our clubs to pay football players in Africa, attractive and globally competitive salaries. CAF will continue to engage and work together with FIFPRO to advance the interests and rights of football players in Africa and throughout the world. The biggest investment we can make is in our football players and youth football.”

FIFPRO, Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballers Professionnels (in English, International Federation of Professional Footballers) is a democratic organization whose main mission is to defend the collective and individual interests of professional players, for which equality and solidarity are keywords. FIFPRO works to obtain the same rights and duties for all players in the world while being against all forms of racism, xenophobia and violence. FIFPRO takes a particularly critical look at the transfer system for professional players.

FIFPRO Africa President, 44-year-old Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso, two-time AFCON winner and an Olympic Champion with Cameroon said: “Footballers are proud about what we see at CAF today. We thank Dr Motsepe for engaging with us and also for his leadership at CAF.”

The former Racing of Bafoussam, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Newcastle United player added: “Today’s engagement shows that the CAF President values FIFPRO and the relationship between the players and CAF. We want to work closely with CAF. We leave with a feeling that we are moving in the same direction. We are ready to work together while maintaining our own identities.”